Temporary Overnight Up First Editor

Millions of listeners depend on Morning Edition and Up First to set the news agenda that starts their day. We deliver the latest international and national news stories paired with analysis to help put those headlines in context. Morning Edition is also a platform for accountability through interviews with government officials and decision makers who make or influence policy that affect peoples’ lives. The show also features culture stories about music, movies and books that bring joy and provoke thoughtful conversations about who we are in this world.

The temporary Overnight Up First Editor ensures scripts, audio and other publishing materials podcast episodes are the freshest, most relevant, accurate and engaging for audiences. This person writes scripts for the episode with the intent of maintaining the conversational nature of the podcast while delivering news and analysis that meets NPR’s editorial and ethics standards; this includes fact-checking and correcting errors . The editor works in tandem with the Overnight Up First Producer to identify, dub/record and pull relevant audio and sound to enhance the stories in the episode and improve the listening experience for audiences. The temporary Overnight Up First Editor serves as the line editor for podcast hosts and reporters before and during the production of the episode. They are responsible for the editorial integrity and quality of the episode, ensuring that all publishing materials meet NPR standards. They finalize, copy edit and fact-check all written copy associated with the episode such as episode titles and summaries that are published on podcast platforms and online. They also act as an accountability partner to the Overnight Up First Producer to ensure that underwriting with the episode is correctly included in the audio production and final product.

The temporary Overnight Up First Editor person is supervised by the Overnight Line Editor, and together make editorial decisions about the podcast during their shift.

Morning Edition and Up First is a 24/6 news operation. The schedule for this position as Overnight Up First Editor is 11 p.m. - 7:30 a.m. ET starting Sunday nights ending Friday mornings. Broadcast news operations take place even on holidays. Successful candidates can work holidays.

Collective Bargaining Agreement Statement: This is a union represented role covered under the terms of a collective bargaining agreement with SAG-AFTRA.

Responsibilities

Reviews, edits and writes scripts and copy with accuracy, flow and to NPR editorial standards
Works closely with podcast hosts and reporters and edits their scripts and written materials
Helps identify audio and sound to incorporate into episode production
Monitors news stories and information and responds swiftly to developments
Works in tandem with the Overnight Up First Producer to bring daily episodes of the podcast to final publication
Works with the Overnight Line Producer, Morning Edition managers and NPR network journalists including editors, reporters and deputy managing editors to keep the daily podcast show at the sharp edge of evolving news stories
Researches and books guests for the podcast, especially during breaking news situations and executes on coverages plans
Briefs shows hosts and reporters ahead of live interviews
Works with NPR’s news desks, reporters, hosts and show team to update podcast episodes as needed
Produced digital episode materials such as copy and images for podcast publication
Cultivate and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace

The above duties and responsibilities are not an exhaustive list of required responsibilities, duties and skills. Other duties may be assigned, and this job description can be modified at any time.

Minimum Qualifications

Editor I skills qualifications
At least four years of experience as an editor or reporter
A minimum of one year of experience in editorial decision-making

Preferred Qualifications

Editor II skills qualifications
Expert audio and broadcasting writing skills
Audio production and editing experience
Experience with the type of audio production protocols and systems used at NPR
Proficiency in another language other than English
Ability and willingness to relocate. In the future, NPR may choose to transfer employees to other geographic locations. Severance provisions of the SAG-AFTRA collective bargaining agreement will apply should you choose not to accept a transfer.
Experience working in and/or knowledge of public radio and the public radio system

EDUCATION REQUIREMENT

Minimum education experience required or preferred. (Ex: Bachelor's degree or equivalent in work experience)

WORK LOCATION

Hybrid Permitted: This is a hybrid permitted role. Some aspects of this role include duties that are better performed at an NPR facility. The employee will be required to be onsite at the Washington, DC office at least 10 days a year. The employee must also reside in an NPR supported location based on the number of onsite days they choose.

Required Skills

Proficiency in news writing techniques and styles such as AP Style
Demonstrated understanding of journalistic ethics
Digital news editing experience including copy editing and other types of digital platform production skills
Strong oral communication skills
Problem solving skills
A broad range and interest in national and international news
Demonstrated ability working quickly and efficiently under deadline

JOB TYPE

This is a temporary (3-month) full time position.

Compensation

Hourly Rate: The U.S. based anticipated hourly rate for this opportunity is $50.48-$54.08. The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum hourly rate NPR expects to provide for new hires for the position across all US locations

Benefits: NPR offers access to comprehensive benefits for employees and dependents. Regular, full-time employees scheduled to work 30 hours or more per week are eligible to enroll in NPR’s benefits options. Benefits include access to health and wellness, paid time off, and financial well-being. Plan options include medical, dental, vision, life/ accidental death and dismemberment, long-term disability, short-term disability, and voluntary retirement savings to all eligible NPR employees.

Does this sound like you? If so, we want to hear from you.

The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum salaries NPR expects to provide for new hires for the position across all US locations.

NPR Pay Range

$50.48—$54.08 USD