Posted On: September 29, 2010

Journalism Internship

Media Organization:New York Public Radio

Company Description

WNYC, American Public Media and Marketplace are teaming up to bring "the hidden side of everything" to public radio. This effort -- online, on-air and through an already-popular podcast -- will create regular programming for Marketplace's national radio audience, a weekly podcast and a series of special programs each year. Hosted by Stephen Dubner, the co-author of "Freakonomics" and "SuperFreakonomics," these stories will dive into the things you think you know but don't and the things you didn't think you want to know about, but do.

Job Description

WNYC seeks a Production Assistant to help turn academic research, underreported events, and everyday life into unforgettable stories for this public radio project. The successful candidate will have an active and inquisitive mind and a desire to bring unforgettable stories to a diverse and demanding audience.

This position will be responsible for research and production duties, and requires outstanding communication with a small staff of producers and a host working toward multiple deadlines. The successful candidate must be a self-starter, and thrive in a collaborative, innovation-focused work environment.

Job responsibilities include but are not limited to:

- Contribute to and assist with Identifying and developing story ideas for all aspects of Freakonomics Radio programming, including Marketplace, podcasts, live events, longer-format special programs and a web site
- Assist with editorial research in a wide variety of sources, including academic journals, news reports, reference materials, online sources, archives, and pre-interviews of potential sources
- Create, maintain, analyze and report with data sources that will inform the show's work, such as academic findings and public records
- Write precise and thoughtful background materials for host to conduct interviews
- Identify and interview sources who can contribute to the project's programming. Arrange and record those interviews.
- Audio production to prepare material for broadcast, including recording interviews, transferring and editing audio, duplication, and archiving, as well as preparing the show's podcast
- Write blog posts as assigned
- Assist with preparation of editorial material (audio, text, photographs) for online use
- Assist with organizational support including production schedules, completion of necessary paperwork and documentation, and cataloguing of materials necessary to productions
- Comply with New York Public Radio and department policies and guidelines
- This position requires use of a computer, telephone and other office and/or broadcast equipment; ability to communicate effectively through a variety of methods; requires ability to work extended hours/overtime as needed, including some evenings and weekends
- Perform occasional field reporting and/or recording. Must be able to work remotely on occasion
- Special projects and other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

- One year work experience, in any field, including post-graduate academic research (radio experience not required)
- Ability to prioritize and handle several projects at once and meet objectives under deadline pressure required
- An inclination or appreciation for contrarian thinking
- An appreciation of, if not an addiction to, the Freakonomics blog, books (and perhaps podcast)
- A track record of accuracy and attention to detail
- Excellent organizational skills
- A comfort level with data-processing programs, such as Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Access
- Requires ability to work in a group environment, and to take direction well
- Excellent communication skills�both oral and written�with an impressive reputation for building and maintaining relationships with people at all levels of an organization, across a diverse range of cultural, generational, ethnic, racial, educational and social backgrounds
- Requires the intellectual and emotional depth, maturity, self-confidence and interpersonal skills to work effectively and/or interact with other programming staff, executives at New York Public Radio, colleagues, sources and guests
- Must be able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement between New York Public Radio and AFTRA.

Note: The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees, and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.

To Apply

To apply for this opportunity, please submit a cover letter, salary requirements and resume online to jobs@wnyc.org with "Prod Asst, Freakonomics 2010" and your last name in the subject line.

New York Public Radio must receive all information requested i