NPR seeks reporter to cover cars, energy and the future of mobility

NPR’s Business Desk is looking for a reporter/correspondent to cover cars, energy and the future of mobility. Transportation and energy are intertwined. And they’re both changing the world in unpredictable ways. How Americans get around is changing dramatically. The driverless car is no longer a moonshot. Ride-hailing apps like Uber and Lyft have transformed how people move around cities and they challenge the very notion of car ownership. More people commute on bikes. Electric scooters are showing up on city streets and sidewalks. All of this means big changes in commuting, urban planning, and the interstate highway system.

The reporter/correspondent will also cover the business of energy, from alternative fuels to the shale revolution that has brought the world’s most powerful cartel, OPEC, to its knees. These developments are exciting, challenging and potentially ominous. We’re looking for a reporter who can dig in and explain futuristic experiments and expose old-school greed. Stories can be as small as a joy ride or as complex as the global fight to control the Arctic.

The ideal candidate will have strong ideas and the ability to convey them with powerful storytelling. The candidate will also have a record of aggressive reporting, strong analytical skills and a desire to dig and investigate.

NPR’s Business Desk produces sophisticated yet accessible coverage of the economy, financial markets, technology and business. We consider the role of cultural and demographic change as we aim to illuminate big changes in the economy and in companies. We draw connections between the places business leaders come from, their visions and the effect of their actions on society. Known for our work ethic, the Business Desk aspires both to great storytelling and smart, aggressive coverage of breaking news. Our work is featured on Morning Edition, All Things Considered, NPR.org, Up First, and Here & Now

The position can be based in New York or Washington and involves occasional travel.

Responsibilities:

• Develops, plans and reports news, feature and major enterprise stories for audio and web.
• Develops news sources.
• Participates in departmental planning for coverage.
• Works with editors to develop material for all programs and platforms.
• Breaks news, covers news as it happens, and works on other stories assigned by Business Desk editors.
• Gathers materials on tape and otherwise, through interviews, press conferences, and direct coverage of events.
• In consultation with editors and producers, organizes, edits and produces pieces and news spots.
• Collaborates with editors and show producers to shape two-ways and speaks fluently and conversationally live on the air.
• Fulfills administrative obligations arising from assignments, such as filing prompt and accurate expense records and program information/ summaries; maintaining contact with editors and appropriate producers; keeping editors and appropriate producers informed about assignments.

Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, English, Economics or writing-intensive discipline and/or equivalent work experience

Required Skills:

• At least five years’ reporting experience covering business issues or equivalent.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, report and write stories of interest to a national audience.
• Experience producing pieces and two-ways for radio, digital and social audiences.
• Ability to work quickly under deadline pressure. Must be able to report breaking stories for both newscasts, major programs and digital.
• Ability and willingness to travel as needed.
• Proven ability to consistently work well with others, demonstrating at all times respect for the diverse constituencies at NPR and within the public radio system.

• A proven track record covering Business news.
• Experience covering breaking news with authority and accuracy.

• At least three years writing and voicing pieces and two-ways for radio.
• Experience with content management systems and collaboration tools such as Google Docs, Basecamp, etc.
• Familiarity with NPR member stations and public media system.
• Expertise in writing, with excellence in news writing, copy-editing and headline writing.

• Ability and willingness to relocate. In the future, NPR may choose to transfer employees to other geographic locations. Severance provisions of the AFTRA collective bargaining agreement will apply should you choose not to accept a transfer.

To apply, go here.