Posted On: April 27, 2011

Journalism Job

Media Organization: WNYC

Company Description

About New York Public Radio:
New York Public Radio is home to three of the country’s leading public radio stations* — WNYC 93.9 FM, WNYC AM 820 and WQXR 105.9 FM — as well as The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space. WNYC is a major producer of original content for public radio nationwide. Five WNYC programs — Radio Lab, On the Media, Studio 360, The Brian Lehrer Show, and Radio Rookies, its youth journalism program serving teens in all five boroughs — have been recognized with George Foster Peabody Awards, the highest honor in broadcasting journalism. Our news department and shows have received many other journalism and broadcasting awards over the years as well. The organization was recognized by The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists with an American Scene Award for its diversity and inclusion in programming and employment.
WQXR is New York City’s only all-classical music station. And The Greene Space is a street-front broadcast studio and live venue where audiences can experience our programming in person and online. New York Public Radio’s online platforms include wnyc.org, wqxr.org and thegreenespace.org. With an urban vibrancy and a global perspective, we are becoming the centerpiece of a community of more than 5 million each week, reaching radio, web and studio audiences in New York, across the country and around the world. On any given day we bring our listeners a unique and thought-provoking array of news, current affairs, contemporary and classical music, cultural programming, live events and more — with a depth, variety and caliber that they can’t get anywhere else. * measured by audience size Source: Arbitron, Inc.

Job Description

General Purpose:
WNYC is seeking an exceptional writer-blogger to lead a political news blog focused on New York State.

The writer-blogger will be charged with building a dedicated online following around coverage of New York City and New York state politics, Albany’s lawmakers, City and state budgetary issues and the governor’s office. The position requires that the writer-blogger portray the stakeholders and issues in a thought-provoking manner, connecting policy and reforms enacted in Albany and New York City to a national and local political narrative. The writer-blogger will be expected to establish him/herself as a leading authority on state political matters as well as convey a smart, conversational tone.

This position requires a demonstrated ability to cultivate sources, generate story ideas, identify important trends in state and national politics and the usage of tools to collect and verify information through sourcing and fact-checking.

This position may be based in New York City or Albany, New York, with some travel expected.

Job responsibilities include but are not limited to:
• Produces several posts daily for blog built around state and municipal political issues
• Writes about the day’s news and curates related materials from elsewhere online in an informal, conversation style that also comports with WNYC’s on-air voice
• Solicits and edits contributions from others at WNYC or elsewhere including show hosts, correspondents, producers, editors, subject experts and political leaders
• Consistently and enthusiastically engages with readers and the WNYC community in comment threads, live chats/tweeting events, video or audio podcasts and other social and multimedia venues
• Provides ongoing insight and counsel to other WNYC shows and departments about their online and digital projects and ambitions
• Maintains a daily liaison with editors about developing stories, coordinating the blog with the rest of the WNYC site
• Ensures that all material produced for the site meet WNYC program standards and practices, including standards of accuracy, fairness, objectivity and balance
• Travel to and from Albany and New York City to collaborate both with the WNYC editors and the statehouse
• Be available for occasional on-air appearances across WNYC’s radio properties as an authoritative source on New York City and New York state politics
• Comply with all 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
• Ability to work extended hours as needed, including some evenings and weekends
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:
• Bachelors Degree required
• Minimum five years journalism experience required
• Conversant in blogging software and knowledgeable about the use and development of social media and multimedia tools and applications
• Must have proven experience building or running a successful niche news site, developing a social media brand, and stoking community engagement
• Must have subject-matter expertise, a solid journalistic track record of reporting and a conversational writing style befitting WNYC’s reputation as a trusted local and national news source
• Requires the intellectual and emotional depth, maturity, self-confidence and superb interpersonal skills to work effectively and/or interact with other newsroom staff, executives at NYPR, board trustees, clients and vendors as needed
• 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

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:

Please apply through New York Public Radio’s online application portal www.wnyc.org/careers/listings/. Submit cover letter with salary requirements and resume.

New York Public Radio is an Equal Opportunity Employer and invites and encourages qualified applicants from all walks of life.