Evening News Assignment Editor
Application instructions for this and all current OPB employment opportunities are available at OPB's careers page.
About OPB
OPB is a leader in public media, serving diverse communities of the Northwest with fact-based, in-depth news and information about politics, the environment, science, arts, history, and cultures; business, education and more. Powered by the generous support of members, OPB seeks out a variety of voices in our communities and lifts up authentic stories of the people, places, events and issues of the region, providing context and a deeper understanding. OPB’s independent journalism and programs are available at opb.org, on OPB Radio and OPB TV. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Facebook.
The Opportunity
OPB is hiring an Evening News Assignment Editor. This is an exciting role if you’re a journalist who enjoys keeping up with breaking news and thrives in a dynamic environment where you would be the go-to editor for newsroom staff while also having the opportunity report on breaking stories. Each day in this position presents new and different opportunities for learning, collaborating and problem solving. This editing role is ideal for those looking to break into management from reporting, or who just love working on breaking news. We consider this an integral part of our management track. As evening news editor, you will receive mentorship from experienced editors on managing a team and beat, while owning and shaping evening news. This position is vital for OPB’s commitment to becoming the region's most trusted news source. Your strong news judgment and your ability to report and edit breaking news will help shape the robust coverage of local news for our audience.
We urge you to apply and join us in connecting people across Oregon and the Pacific Northwest through the power of a shared story.
Position Details
This breaking news assignment editor serves as OPB’s primary eyes on breaking news and developing stories during the later part of the day. They monitor social media, the OPB news mailbox and other media outlets for the latest events. This editor writes copy for radio, short stories for the website and does preliminary reporting on breaking news when needed. This editor also edits stories by announcers and beat reporters when their team leaders are not available, is the primary contact point for afternoon and evening hosts and digital producers when they have questions about stories, helps lead the daily afternoon news meeting and leaves overnight notes used by morning producers and announcers to ensure newscasts and the website are up to date in the morning. The assignment editor will also possess strong news judgment to help delegate and assign breaking news stories to reporters, producers and other talent as required.
Supervises
This position plans and approves work of reporters and producers. This position does not have direct supervision of employees.
Responsibilities
65% - Ensures that OPB’s primary news platforms provide an in-the-moment, up-to-date reflection of the day’s events by monitoring the work of OPB reporters and other news sources on social media, coordinating with OPB team leaders, monitoring the OPB news mailbox, writing copy for newscasts and short stories for opb.org. Coordinates end of day note for next day hosts and editors and offers suggestions and guidance for future coverage plans. Reports and writes stories as news and staffing levels merit and initial versions of breaking news stories for radio and web.
30% - Edit copy from announcers and hosts, later-day stories from OPB reporters and affiliate organizations
Follows AP and OPB style for all incoming content.
Provides editorial direction and support for reporters filing after hours stories or in cases in which the team leader is not available to edit. This can include editing stories and guiding coverage of breaking news.
Monitors, pulls and edits as needed stories from the Northwest News Network (N3) partners.
Translates copy and newscast items from announcers and N3 reporters into digital stories.
Uses OPB programs including Adobe Audition, Arc CMS and our Media Assent Management software.
5% - Other duties, as assigned.
Working Conditions
Most work will be done Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m The bulk of this editor’s duties will take place in an office or studio setting. Lifting and carrying equipment up to 20 pounds is sometimes required. In-state travel may be required. Some weekend work may be required.
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Minimum Qualifications
3 years of professional journalism experience
Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities for this position.
Experience in a daily newsroom environment.
Ability to recognize a wide range of stories appropriate for OPB across radio and digital platforms.
Share OPB's commitment to covering all the communities in our coverage areas reflecting a diverse range of people and perspectives in our content.
Exceptional time management, organizational and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work with digital audio workstations and office computer software.
Enthusiasm for the mission of OPB and for the role of public media in a changing journalism environment.
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in journalism.
Experience providing editorial direction to reporters
Experience using digital audio recording and editing equipment
Experience editing reporters for radio or web.
Bilingual in English and another language, preferably one spoken in communities in the Pacific Northwest (for example, Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese and Russian).
A voracious news consumer with a passion for journalism
Knowledge of major stories and issues in the Northwest
We know that this list of requirements is extensive and that people from underrepresented groups are sometimes less likely to apply if they don’t meet all the listed criteria. If you’re unsure of whether you’re qualified, please still apply! We want to meet you.
Additional Information
This position reports to the Breaking News Editor and is benefit eligible.
The hiring range for this exempt position is between $70,000 - $80,000 annually, depending on qualifications.
For the safety of our employees, the contractors/vendors we work with, and the public we serve, OPB has a mandatory COVID vaccination policy and all employees are required to show proof of vaccination.
How to Apply
For application instructions, please visit OPB's careers page. You will be asked to create an account, upload your resume and cover letter. In your cover letter, please tell us about your passion for following breaking news and discuss how you will help our growing newsroom cover the most compelling stories and important events in the Pacific Northwest.
Once you click “submit” you cannot make changes to your application.
This position is open until filled.
OPB is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
