Ampers is seeking a News Consultant/Writing & Editorial Coach.
The Association of Minnesota Public Educational Radio Stations (AMPERS) has an IMMEDIATE opening for a highly experienced journalist to fact-check and edit scripts, help to teach news writing, assist in making news editorial decisions, help to enhance our newsroom policies and manual, and ensure we are upholding journalistic standards and ethics.
News Consultant/Writing & Editorial Coach
Association of Minnesota Public Educational Radio Stations
Contract – Freelance position
www.AMPERS.org
AMPERS is the largest statewide association of community radio stations in the United States, comprised of 17 independent community radio stations in Minnesota. The stations primarily serve underserved populations, including greater Minnesota, tribal nations, diverse communities, and students. AMPERS helps member stations serve their diverse communities by generating revenue, developing and sharing programming, and works to correct the narrative regarding historically underrepresented communities through accurate storytelling and reporting.
AMPERS produces North Star Stories, which is a weekly 30-minute magazine-style newscast and will soon include a daily update, Minnesota Native News, a weekly five-minute newscast, programs like MN90: Minnesota History in 90 Seconds, and much more.
AMPERS is seeking a highly experienced journalist to consult and guide our growing team of diverse reporter/producers. The consultant will work side-by-side with our Director of News programming to improve the quality of the writing, help to guide editorial decisions, help the Director of News Programming to recruit and train additional reporter/producers, and help to establish more partnerships with newsrooms around the state. The ideal candidate has extensive experience writing, producing, and editing radio newscasts as well as experience teaching journalism classes or managing the day-to-day operations of a newsroom.
Duties may include:
• Reviewing, editing, and approving daily scripts
• Reviewing, editing, and approving weekly scripts
• Providing Director of News Programming with coaching and feedback
• Providing reporter/producers with coaching, feedback, and ways to improve their writing
• Help to identify stories and perspectives not being reported on in traditional media
• Help teach reporters how to identify and secure sources not being utilized by traditional media
• Writing, producing, and editing news stories when needed
• Significantly enhancing our policies and manuals
• Identify and establish partnerships with local newsrooms and community journalists around the state
• Attend weekly North Star Stories editorial meetings on Tuesday evenings at 6pm
• Upholding journalistic standards and ethics
• Ensure all content complies with FCC, fair use, and copyright laws and guidelines
• Collaborate closely with the Director of News Programming & CEO
• Other duties as assigned by the Director of News Programming & CEO
Required Qualifications:
• Extensive experience reporting, writing, producing, and editing radio newscasts
• Extensive experience meeting newscast deadlines
• Experience teaching journalism or managing a newsroom
• Excellent communication skills
Desired Qualifications:
• Experience working with and reporting about diverse communities
• Experience with audio editing software
• Bachelor’s degree in journalism or equivalent experience
Work Environment
• 100% remote
• Family-friendly environment
• Strong commitment to diversity
• Candidate must provide their own computer and equipment
• Candidate will report to the Chief Executive Officer
Commitment to Diversity, Inclusivity, and Equal Employment
AMPERS strongly encourages women, people of color, Native Americans, LGBTQIA2S+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and Veterans to apply. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, creed, color, religion, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, veteran status, medical condition, national origin or ancestry, or any protected category prohibited by state and federal laws.
Compensation & Benefits
• $15,000 (with the expectation of a total of 320 hours of work over the eight weeks)
Length of contract
• Eight weeks (with the possibility for extension to a full-time position for up to one year)
Application Process
Applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and three samples of their work to jobs@ampers.org. Please enter NSS News Consultant in the subject line of your email. AMPERS is looking to fill this position as quickly as possible.
AMPERS – NEWS CONSULTANT/WRITING & EDITORIAL COACH (CONTRACT)
For more details and to apply, click here.
