News reporters

KTOO is looking for two curious and talented journalists to work as reporters in our newsroom in Juneau, Alaska.

We’re currently hiring for two full-time positions, both based in Juneau:

(1) Local community reporter…to join a small team of reporters focused on local Juneau stories in the areas of city leadership & governance, Alaska Native tribal governments, Juneau schools, local politics and social justice. If you like finding the stories that reflect a community’s interests and concerns, while also surprising it with topics not yet on its radar — this is the job for you.

(1) Statewide health and science reporter…to join Alaska’s Energy Desk, a team of reporters based at several stations across the state focused on energy and the environment. If you are interested in the intersection of rural healthcare and ecology (everything from COVID-19 and maternal health to subsistence foods and endangered species) you will love being part of this team.

Within these two broadly defined beats, you will work with the Managing Editor to create a focus area for your reporting that fits within the mission and goals of the newsroom.

All KTOO reporters are expected to be able to keep up with daily regional news stories on deadline while working away on longer, enterprise reporting. You’ll be expected to serve a local listening audience with news of local and regional importance and to also file relevant stories with the statewide public radio network.

This position reports to the Managing Editor and works closely with the Daily News Editor and other reporters to identify and develop story ideas.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Produce news stories for radio and web
• Record and edit audio for daily broadcast, especially using field recording equipment, but also using studio and telephone recording equipment
• Write engaging news stories for KTOO.org, including thoughtful headlines and social media share lines
• Seek out diverse sources for news stories, striving to put voices and perspectives on the air that our audience has never heard from or would not hear from otherwise
• Collaborate with the news team on special reporting series and podcasts
• Serve as a back-up live host for morning and afternoon newscasts on KTOO

Successful candidates will possess the following skills and competencies:

• At least 2 years of experience working in a newsroom, producing content on deadline
• Excellent writing skills, proven news judgment, and journalistic integrity
• Confidence in your own voice and in being yourself on the radio
• Experience reporting on traditionally underrepresented communities
• Enthusiasm for local news
• Willingness to learn new equipment, skills and workflows and the desire to constantly improve your craft

ABOUT US:

Our newsroom mission: Relying on voices, perspectives and stories historically underserved by news outlets, KTOO News provides information our community needs to gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and our role in local, statewide and national issues and events.

KTOO has a mid-sized newsroom in a small market, which means we have robust reporting power and a strong presence and reputation in the community. You will be joining a team that includes 2 news editors, a digital media editor, 3 statewide reporters and 3 local reporters. With you, there will be 10 journalists in the newsroom. You’ll also join a fun Slack group with more than 40 reporters, editors and producers at public media stations around Alaska.

Our editorial focus is a mix of stories of local and statewide importance. Our statewide reporters focus on state government (Juneau is the capital of Alaska), healthcare, energy & natural resource policy, Alaska’s economy, science and climate change. Our local reporters focus on city governance, housing & homelessness issues, tourism & other local economic drivers, criminal justice & re-entry/recidivism, early childhood education & schools, and Alaska Native culture and governance.

The Managing Editor supports and encourages reporters to pitch to and work with national outlets to promote a full and realistic portrayal of Alaska life.

KTOO supports station-wide efforts to increase diversity and inclusion. We keep track of the gender and race and/or ethnicity of all our sources and strive to source our stories with diversity and inclusivity in mind. Our community is almost 20% Alaska Native and 10% Asian and we are trying to ensure that those voices are represented in our coverage.

We also know that a diverse and inclusive staff will lead to stronger reporting and a deeper connection to communities we serve. We strongly encourage women and non-binary candidates; Alaska Native, Indigenous and people of color; people with disabilities and those with diverse economic and educational backgrounds to apply.

Deadline: Open until filled. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Salary: Depends on experience, but starting in the low $50ks, plus competitive benefits including health insurance, retirement plan, paid leave and holidays.

Apply: online at https://www.ktoo.org/job-opportunities/apply-online/ (specify in your cover letter if you have a preference between the two reporter jobs)

Posted: 12/11/2020

KTOO is an Equal Opportunity Employer

KTOO would like to acknowledge the L’eeneidí and the Wooshkeetaan of the Áak’w Khwáan. Our broadcast studios are on their ancestral homeland. Our building sits on fill that was once tideland and part of what is called the Indian Village. The families of the Juneau Indian Village, like their ancestors, cherish and depend upon their immediate connection to the waterfront. KTOO is working to lift up Tlingit voices and the Tlingit language. Please excuse us for our mistakes, and gunalchéesh for your patience as we learn.

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