Job Information
Boston University PRODUCER, ON POINT, WBUR News and Programming in Boston, Massachusetts
Who We Are & What We Can Offer You:
WBUR is Boston’s NPR and a public media leader, producing exceptional journalism on-air, online, on-demand, and in real life. Our mission is to produce high-quality journalism and enriching experiences that foster understanding, connection, and community for an expanding circle of people. WBUR is member-supported and licensed to Boston University.
WBUR is brimming with talent and ambition. Our colleagues work hard, strive for excellence, value truth, creativity, diverse perspectives, and open debate. Our culture is warm and welcoming — no matter what your role is — we work hard to ensure that everyone feels like they belong. On top of that people are both respectful and passionate about the work we do.
We’ve got exciting plans to keep innovating and building WBUR for the future. It’s a place to do meaningful work with interesting people and to learn and grow along the way.
We offer our employees both hybrid and in-office work arrangements.
We also offer:
Health (https://www.bu.edu/hr/employee-resources/benefits/) and Well Being (https://www.bu.edu/wellness/) Benefits including Gender Affirming Healthcare (https://www.bu.edu/hr/employee-resources/resources-for-trans-and-nonbinary-employees/health-benefits-and-gender-transition/)
Paid Time Off, Holidays & Intersession (https://www.bu.edu/hr/holiday-intersession-announcement/)
Tuition Remission (https://www.bu.edu/hr/learningbu/tuition-remission/) and Professional Development (https://www.bu.edu/odl/) through Boston University
The Opportunity and Who You’ll Work With:
Position Type: Regular, Full Time, Benefits Eligible
Work Format: Hybrid; minimum of 2 days onsite, up to 3 days remote.
Schedule: Monday – Friday. Hours are typically 08:00AM-04:00PM Eastern Time.
The award-winning, nationally syndicated show On Point helps listeners understand how the world works at a time when the world is more complex than ever. On Point's unique, curiosity-driven combination of original reporting, first-person stories, sound design, and in-depth live analysis creates a listener experience that strives to make the world more intelligible and humane. Hosted by Meghna Chakrabarti, On Point is broadcast live from 10:00AM to 11:00AM Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, and airs again throughout the day and evening on some 350 stations coast to coast. The show is also available as a podcast, and on WBUR’s website and app.
Your position will play a key role in the production of the daily national public affairs program, On Point. Primary functions include conceiving and developing original show ideas, skillfully crafting rich, single-topic editions, researching, pre-interviewing and booking guests, and recording, editing and scripting original production elements to WBUR’s high standards of journalism.
Essential Functions:
(30%) Show idea development, including but not limited to: originating and developing show topics; researching and writing pitches with focused, original framing; using strong research skills, contact networks and other sources of background information; presenting and developing pitches in consultation with other editorial staff.
(30%) Preparing for show production, including but not limited to: identifying and pre-interviewing prospective guests, formulating lines of questioning, preparing guests for show format; researching and identifying original voices with lived experience; skillfully crafting episodes and creating running orders; preparing research digests, including essential support material; preparing the host with a clear vision of how the show topic should be executed.
(30%) Writing and producing, including but not limited to: producing, writing, and editing production elements and set-up pieces focused on the voices of lived experience; selecting and producing listeners’ stories; producing and editing billboards; preparing first draft of host script for introductions, billboards and promos; writing copy and interview highlights for the website. This requires sophisticated editorial judgment as well as understanding the qualities of good audio.
(10%) Fill in for other program personnel as necessary, including but not limited to: pre-production; directing the recording of promos, introductions and billboards; preparing pre-recorded material for on-air use; ensure quality control of pre-recorded materials; digital production; assist other production staff as required.
This position is covered under our collective bargaining agreement with the SAG-AFTRA union and the minimum salary for this position is $78,413. Additionally, when compensation is being evaluated for a candidate finalist, that amount can increase as experience and internal equity are factored into the offer amount.
Required Skills
What You’ll Need to Succeed:
Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree or equivalent/relevant experience.
4 years of experience in journalism, experience in audio is valued.
Digital media and fact checking experience.
Capabilities and Proficiencies:
An excitement about WBUR’s mission to provide an essential public good: high-quality journalism and enriching experiences that foster understanding, connection and community.
A commitment to journalism fundamentals, including accuracy, fairness, respect, honesty and independence on air and online (for more see WBUR’s ethics guidelines (https://www.wbur.org/inside/2022/03/10/ethics-guide) ).
Critical thinking
Creative, editorially nimble, detail-oriented, dogged in pursuit of the news, and sharply focused on audience sensibilities.
Strong writing and editing skills.
Ability to efficiently prioritize and meet deadlines.
Data collection and analysis of information from different sources.
Knowledgeable about general news.
Demonstrated commitment to fact-checking.
Expertise in audio editing and sound mixing.
Knowledge of broadcast and digital tools such as Adobe Audition preferred.
In an ongoing effort to enrich our organizational culture, WBUR is committed to building a staff and leadership team that reflects the diversity of our city, region and nation.
Designing an organization where everyone thrives, creating connection and community that permeates our workplace requires real change across all facets of what we do and who we are.
We must hire, support, develop, advance and retain diverse talent at all levels of the organization with a standard of inclusive excellence.
If you are excited by this opportunity and have a passion for our mission - whether you meet all or some of our criteria - we want to talk to you. After submitting your application – join our Talent Community (http://www.wbur.org/tc) !
If you require an ADA reasonable accommodation to complete your application and/or participate in the interview process, please let us know here (https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/e75760cc73ac4d88af747ba128357eb3) .
We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.
Required Experience