The MPR News Politics Reporter is responsible for covering issues related to politics, campaigns and government from the Minnesota Capitol to Washington D.C. The position requires the ability to cultivate and generate sources to keep MPR News ahead of the competition. It requires knowledge of how the Legislature and elections work, how the state budget is put together and how policy debates translate into the lives of Minnesotans.
In this role, you will produce regional stories for radio programs, including Morning Edition and All Things Considered, daily newscasts and podcasts. Your reporting will also appear on the MPR News website, in daily newsletters and on social media. Other duties include live Q&As with MPR News hosts.
Though much of the job requires coverage of meetings, news conferences and other events related to politics and government, you will also have opportunities to focus on developing original enterprise stories that expand the audience’s understanding of Minnesota politics, campaigns and legislative activities.
Knowledge of radio production is a plus but not an absolute requirement. An ability to be trained and to sound good on the air is required.
MPR News trains all new employees. You will be given beat-specific guidance on assignments as your primary role, and you will be assigned some general assignment stories. While you will have an assigned shift, per the news cycle and staffing needs of a daily news organization, you may be assigned to work an early morning, night and/or weekend shift.
Position Responsibilities:
- Develop sources in Minnesota politics and government
- Record interviews for broadcast
- Write radio scripts and mix audio for news programs and newscasts
- Report on live radio broadcasts as assigned
- Write digital stories for MPRNews.org
- Take images or create other visual content to support digital workflows
- Collaborate with editors, digital producers, radio producers and reporting staff
- Work with politics team to develop and share ideas, sources and coverage plans
- Uphold journalistic standards of accuracy and fairness
- Deliver substantive reports quickly on varied subjects
- Routinely break stories
- Function as a leader in news judgment
- Fill in on daily news shifts and on weekends several times a year
- May be called upon to fill in as Editor and/or Host
Required Education and Experience:
- BA degree or equivalent work experience in journalism
- Senior Reporter Level: 5+ years reporting or similar experience
Required Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:
- Strong writing and analytical skills
- Demonstrated ability to write for radio, broadcast and/or print
- Ability to construct stories with multiple interviews and scenes
- Experience reporting on a beat
- Demonstrated ability to meet daily deadlines
- Ability to pivot to breaking news
- Willingness to participate in live reports and host two-ways
- Ability to learn radio production workflows, produce content for multiple platforms and take photographs
- Familiarity with data practices laws and ability to analyze large amounts of data and other information
- Social media fluency that builds audience/followers and upholds journalistic standards
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
- Willingness to work a flexible schedule, including weekends, in step with the news cycle
Preferred Skills and Experience:
- Prior experience covering politics
- Command for developing long-term reporting projects
- Knowledge of Spanish, Hmong, Somali or another language used by a large population of Minnesotans
Reporting to this Position: None
Expected Compensation Range: $33.10 – $39.72/hour.
Application Deadline: Open until filled.
