Supervising Editor, Science Desk/Health

OVERVIEW

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Across our organization, we’re building a workplace where collaboration is essential, diverse voices are heard, and inclusion is the key to our success. We are committed to doing the right thing in our journalism and in every role at NPR. This means that integrity, adherence to our ethical standards, and compliance with legal obligations are fundamental responsibilities for every employee at NPR.

Intro To Position

NPR is looking for a smart, enthusiastic leader to guide our enterprise and high impact science and health coverage, particularly breaking news, on the swing shift

The Supervising Editor for Science will have a strong vision and a nuanced understanding of evidence-based science and health reporting. The successful candidate will challenge us as we strive for new, creative ways to report on these dynamic areas of coverage.  

This person will be a key member of the decision-making team on the science desk, which comprises more than 25 correspondents, editors and producers working across platforms – news magazines,  newscasts, digital and podcasts. The desk covers the general sciences, domestic health and global health, and this supervisor will be responsible for making and coordinating key coverage decisions, including breaking news, regarding all these beats on the swing shift, from 1 p.m. ET to 9 p.m. ET.

The Supervising Editor for Science/Health will lead the desk’s consumer health coverage team, and help guide and support the desk’s multiplatform digital efforts. The editor will have excellent news judgment, is flexible and will work collaboratively with reporters and editors on and off the science desk. This position will support staff to be forward-thinking  and relevant to our audiences, our newsroom and our partners.  

The Supervising Editor for Science/Health, Swing Shift will report to the Chief Science Editor.

This is an NPR editorial role covered under the terms of the NPR Ethics Handbook. All editorial staff are bound by this guidance. Editorial staff are defined as staff members who play a role in shaping the journalistic or creative direction of NPR's content, including events.    

Responsibilities

The Supervising Editor for Science/Health oversees multiplatform coverage by a group of reporters and editors, with a specific emphasis on our award-winning consumer health team. 

• Partners with other Science Desk editors, NPR shows, Newscast and digital editors to coordinate breaking news and consumer  health coverage on multiple platforms.  
• Generates story ideas, reviews pitches and edits coverage. The editor will also help develop creative storytelling approaches and sources, and determine the best platform for the network’s news and consumer health coverage, including making suggestions for interviews. 
• Collaborates with desk deputies and Chief Science Editor to set coverage priorities for beats and themes with a keen focus on younger and diverse audiences.
• Advocates on behalf of the Science Desk, including attending the network’s daily afternoon news meeting on a regular basis.  
• Maintains highest-quality broadcast, text and multimedia standards. 
• Effectively coaches reporting and production staff. 
• Works with a minimum of supervision, even in complicated situations. 
• Anticipates and responds to most programming needs, breaking news and in-depth features.
• Cultivates and promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. 
• Cultivates and supports an inclusive and equitable workplace culture. 
• Other duties as assigned. 
• Supervises at least four direct reports, including preparing their regular performance reviews, and making effective recommendations regarding any hiring, promotion, and discipline for these positions.

The above duties and responsibilities are not an exhaustive list of required responsibilities, duties and skills. Other duties may be assigned, and this job description can be modified at any time.

Minimum Qualifications

• 7+  years experience as a Reporter, Editor and/or Producer of Science or Health issues.
• 3+ years directing news coverage and reporters in pursuit of ambitious stories. 
• Demonstrated skill in both news and enterprise editing. 
• Possess solid news judgment and familiarity with the 24-hour news cycle.
• Possess a track record as a creative storyteller and editor across journalistic forms, and across a variety of media. 
• Strong grasp of journalistic ethics. Experience maintaining high journalistic standards including  standards of objectivity, balance, accuracy and fairness.
• Ability to handle multiple and complex projects simultaneously under stringent timeframes and changing priorities/conditions. Ability to  work quickly and efficiently under deadline pressure. 
• A teamwork mentality, flexibility, and a proven ability to consistently work well with others, demonstrating at all times respect for the diverse constituencies at NPR and within the public media system. 
• Excellence in written and oral communication skills. 
• Ability and willingness to work varied shifts, when necessary. 

To be considered for this position, it is essential you submit 3 things in your application:

• Your CV/resume

• A 1-page cover letter covering your career highlights & what you see yourself bringing to NPR & the Science Desk.

  • Please include links to 3-5 clips within the cover letter.

Education Requirement

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in work experience.

Work Location

• Remote-Permitted: This role is based out of our Washington, D.C. office, but the employee may choose to work on a remote basis from a location that NPR approves. You will have the option of working (a) remotely from a location of your choosing within the United States that is supported by NPR; (b) on-site at an NPR facility, based on the availability of desks and approval from NPR; or (c) a combination of both. Regardless of where you choose to work from, you may be expected to travel to other locations from time to time to perform the duties of your position. This includes at least 5 days/year working from NPR’s Washington DC HQ.

Job Type

• This is a full time, exempt position.

Compensation

Salary Range: The U.S. based anticipated salary range for this opportunity is $155,000 - $165,000  plus benefits. The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum salaries NPR expects to provide for new hires for the position across all US locations.

Benefits: NPR offers access to comprehensive benefits for employees and dependents. Regular, full-time employees scheduled to work 30 hours or more per week are eligible to enroll in NPR’s benefits options. Benefits include access to health and wellness, paid time off, and financial well-being. Plan options include medical, dental, vision, life/ accidental death and dismemberment, long-term disability, short-term disability, and voluntary retirement savings to all eligible NPR employees. 

Does this sound like you? If so, we want to hear from you.

NPR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. NPR is committed to being an inclusive workplace that welcomes diverse and unique perspectives, all working toward the same goal – to create a more informed public. Qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, religious belief, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, lactation, and reproductive health decisions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, transgender status, gender non-conforming status, intersex status, sexual stereotypes, nationality, citizenship status, personal appearance, marital status, family status, family responsibilities, military status, veteran status, mental and physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, genetic characteristics of yourself or a family member, political views and affiliation, unemployment status, protective order status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, or any other basis prohibited under applicable law.

If you are a person with a disability needing assistance with the application process, please reach out to employeerelations@npr.org.

You may read NPR’s privacy policy to learn about how NPR may handle information you submit with any application.

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