Producer, LAist - Morning Job at American Public Media Group in Pasadena

Your Role:

Do you have a passion for news and public service journalism? Does playing a major role in setting the daily agenda for coverage in one of Southern California's leading newsrooms sound like a perfect fit for you?

We're seeking a producer with strong news judgment, excellent writing skills, and the ability to act quickly across platforms to get our newsroom's day started.

This producer oversees LAist's local broadcast of Morning Edition, which is one of the most popular radio shows in the country, and The L.A. Report a.m. edition podcast, our most downloaded daily show. You are responsible for all aspects of the show, working with the host to uphold LAist's editorial and production standards, research, book, write and cut newsmaker interviews, organize the order of newscasts, and respond effectively to breaking news.

You will work with a cross-platform team to ensure our daily news products are useful, timely and conversational. Our newsroom is committed to distinctive, original reporting which makes having a track record of finding original angles on the news a requirement. You will be expected to write radio copy and news briefs for the web that require little editing and play a major role in always planning ahead for the next shows.

This position sits in the collective bargaining agreement between SCPR and Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists ("SAG-AFTRA")

Location: Pasadena, CA

Expected Hourly Range: $34.61 - $41.53, hourly. The exact rate is determined by experience and education related to the role, organizational compensation structure, and internal equity.Applcation Deadline: Open until position is filled.

Your Responsibility:

• Work with the Daily News team and Morning Edition host to plan coverage that is essential and timely for our audience.
• Understand and deploy our promise to practice diversity, equity and inclusion in how we assign, edit, produce and distribute our journalism.
• Pitch story and interview ideas for news magazines with an eye to content that will also perform well on demand and on LAist.com.
• Research and book newsmakers, and write news items for host and LAist.com
• Write and edit interviews for Morning Edition.
• Oversee the production of the show and newscasts and ensure editorial and productions standards are met.
• Monitor and mine social media platforms for news updates.
• Direct the work of associate producers and interns.
• Prepare sound and ensure produced sound is ready for air.
• Make content and editorial decisions in collaboration with the host and Daily News Editor.
• Produce audio from reporters and outside news services, listening for content and quality.
• Collaborate with broader team to make our digital daily news product robust.
• Help train interns and new fill-in producers.
• Other duties as required.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent work experience.
• Five or more years production, editorial or related experience.

Required Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

• Knowledge of local, national and international news.
• Excellent news judgment.
• Ability to identify and pursue leads and newsmakers that will result in headline news.
• Digital audio editing and field production skills.
• Experienced researcher with excellent writing skills.
• Proven ability to contribute to a positive, diverse, creative, high performance culture.
• Strong leadership skills, ability to lead and manage change and advocate for program/resources/staff.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to evaluate content/quality/sound and act decisively with sound judgment.
• Knowledgeable in live broadcast.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure with a team and to meet deadlines.
• Critical reading and listening skills are required.

Reporting To This Position: None

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

• Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation
• Physical Demands:
  
  • Required to move about in an office environment and sit for extended periods of time
  • Required to move about in the community
  • Frequent use of hands for data entry/keystrokes and simple grasping.
• Working Conditions:
  
  • Moderate noise level
  • Willingness and ability to work varied shifts
  • Occasional exposure to prevalent weather condition

APMG offers a comprehensive benefits package including Medical plans with HSA and FSA options, Dental, Vision, Life and AD&D, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Paid Parental Leave and Paid Caregiver Leave after 1 year, Vacation (3 wks./per year, pro-rated, based on hours worked), Sick time (12 days, pro-rated, based on hours worked), Holiday Pay (10 holidays + 2 floating holidays each year), Volunteer Time (8 hours per year), Long-Term Care and Critical Illness insurance options, Employee Assistance Program, 403(b) Retirement Plan, and more.

Southern California Public Radio (LAist 89.3/LAist.com/LAist Studios) is diverse in race, ethnicity, language, culture, social class, national origin, religious and political belief, age, ability, gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation in addition to other markers protected by law.

At SCPR, we strive to create an inclusive environment where we all feel pride in who we are and what we do. We are encouraged to show up as we are - always embracing and recognizing that our diversity is what brings us together. Our fundamental commitment to diversity:

• Enriches SCPR and provides an atmosphere in which all human potential is valued
• Promotes learning through interactions among people of different backgrounds and many perspectives, and
• Enables the organization to prepare all employees to promote social responsibility, equity, freedom, and productive citizenship in a global society