Reflect America Fellow (1-year)

This position will close on January 26, 2024.

For its 2024-25 Reflect America Fellowship, NPR is seeking an early- or mid-career journalist to spend a year reporting on climate change and its impact on vulnerable people, particularly Indigenous communities across North America.

The fellow will embed with NPR's Climate Desk, where they'll pitch and report stories on one of the world's most important beats. Fellows will work and learn alongside journalists at NPR and member stations whose award-winning stories reach millions of listeners and readers.

The fellow will build skills in essential aspects of climate reporting. They will learn to understand and analyze climate science, the foundation of all climate reporting. They will work on accountability and investigative stories to assess the people, organizations, and systems that delay or derail action needed to address climate change. They will learn to assess potential solutions to climate threats, including those that underserved communities are exploring.

We are looking for someone who can break news and provide the incisive, in-depth reporting that's the hallmark of NPR journalism. Working with the NPR training team and journalists across platforms, fellows will learn and improve their skills in audio and digital storytelling as they report.

Candidates should value learning and be passionate about finding the critical ways climate change connects to a broad range of community matters such as public health, infrastructure policy, politics, water rights, and climate justice.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Research, pitch, and report stories focused on climate change in vulnerable communities, particularly Indigenous communities across North America
• Work with editors, producers, and reporters on the Climate and Science desks to bring new voices from the beat
• Produce stories for all editorial platforms, including digital and visual media, social networks, and various audio platforms, with the goal of reaching the largest audiences with the biggest impact
• Develop skills in assessing scientific studies
• Deliver stories about possible solutions to the climate risks most communities face
• Contribute to investigative and accountability projects
• Some travel is required for reporting in the field 
• Other duties as assigned

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

• At least two years of journalism experience (including internships and fellowships) in any medium
• Experience writing with accuracy and clarity
• Demonstrated interest in how climate change affects vulnerable communities 
• Interest in learning climate science, investigative reporting techniques, and solutions reporting
• Experience using social media platforms as reporting tools
• Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Critical thinking skills and a healthy lens of skepticism

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience reporting in vulnerable communities, particularly Indigenous communities across North America
• Familiarity with data journalism tools and techniques
• Interest in learning and/or developing audio journalism skills
• Language skills other than English

EDUCATION REQUIREMENT

• A college degree or equivalent work experience

All applications must include a resume and, in lieu of a cover letter, should include a document answering the following questions to be considered.

• These questions are designed to gauge how you think about reporting and about the journalism profession. Be specific and use your answers to set yourself apart:
  1. What are three climate stories happening right now in North America that you think NPR should focus on in 2024? Why are they important?
  2. What do you think are the most significant climate issues facing vulnerable communities in North America, particularly Indigenous communities?
  3. Besides major news outlets, what people, accounts and outlets do you follow to stay informed?
  4. Tell us about a time when you pitched a story that was rejected. What did you learn from that experience?
• Please also include five links of your best journalistic work.
• Please provide the contact information for two people who can speak to your work ethic, journalistic skills and passion for inclusive coverage.

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 [Culver City] 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.

JOB TYPE

This is a temporary (12 month) full time position.

COMPENSATION

Hourly Rate: The U.S.-based anticipated hourly rate for this opportunity is $36.05/hr plus benefits. The rate displayed reflects the maximum pay rate that 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.