Researcher

Posted On: November 10, 2020

Journalism Job

Media Organization:Futuro Media Group

Company Description

The Futuro Media Group is an independent nonprofit organization producing multimedia journalism that explores and gives a critical voice to the diversity of the American experience. Based in Harlem and founded in 2010 by award-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa, Futuro Media is committed to telling stories often overlooked by mainstream media. Futuro Media produces Peabody Award winning Latino USA, the longest running national Latino news and cultural public radio program; In The Thick, a political podcast from the perspective of journalists of color; Latino Rebels, a pioneering digital news outlet founded by Julio Ricardo Varela that reaches millions through its website, radio programming, and podcasts; and Futuro Studios, Futuro Media’s newest creative division, focusing on original podcasts and programming. Formerly, Futuro Media also produced PBS’s America By The Numbers and Humanizing America.

Job Description

Researcher, Futuro Unidad Hinojosa - Special Project
The Futuro Media Group
New York, NY

Futuro Media Group seeks a highly detailed, experienced Researcher to join our team in creating a multimedia project for our special productions department, Futuro Unidad Hinojosa. This is a grant supported contract position that is estimated to begin mid-November and end by August or September of 2021.

We are looking for someone with detailed research experience, clear communication and organization skills to produce and oversee all research related to a special multimedia project focused on issues of racial inequality in our communities.

The ideal candidate will possess a highly curious and tenacious quality. As we are a small shop, we are looking for a true team player: somebody who is capable of creative and critical thinking, an ability to see the “big picture” when planning, as well as someone who can roll up their sleeves and do all types of research-related tasks, including data, exploratory, descriptive and causal research while working in conjunction with the project’s production teams.

The Researcher for this special project will report to the Senior Supervising Producer and Executive Producers.

The candidate should have extensive experience in digital, archive, and person-to-person interview research to be used in the production of video and podcast series as well as web and digital production.

Main Job Responsibilities:

Ability to quickly and thoroughly compile research ‘books’ for use by the project’s Writer, Producers, Editors, etc. when requested
Extensive and thorough fact-checking experience
Write drafts and brief Producers/Writers on research
Identify and select suitable sources for archive footage, still pictures, and audio materials, within time and cost limits and be able to present all findings to the production team clearly, concisely, and coherently, both in writing and verbally
Identify, negotiate fees for, and conclude copyright clearances and legal issues relating to all brought in materials used on shoots, including archive materials, intellectual property, or music
Some experience writing press releases or digital copy
Participate in production discussions on matters relating to the project.
Create and oversee the growth of a research data-base for use in character development, facts, statistics, etc.
Coordinate research projects goals in concert with the Senior Supervising Producer and Executive Producers

The ideal candidate will have:

Booking and location scouting experience
Excellent organizational, communication, and writing skills
Interest in and familiarity with issues surrounding solidarity, racial equity, and intersectionality
Knowledge of public media and media in general
Passion for the work and mission of FMG
Proven sound editorial judgment
Familiarity with nonprofit grants and development
Flexibility and ability to anticipate problems and proactively seek solutions
Experience working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
Good attitude about lending a hand as needed in the high workload environment of an ambitious media start-up

To Apply

The start date for the position will be November 16. Interested candidates should send a resume and cover letter to UH_Contractors@futuromediagroup.org by November 13th.