Senior Producer, Laist Studios (On-Call)

Who We Are:

Southern California Public Radio (SCPR) is a member-supported public media network whose mission is to strengthen the civic and cultural bonds that unite Southern California's diverse communities by providing the highest quality news and information service on air at LAist 89.3, online at LAist.com and through LAist Live Programming & Events. Since our founding in 1999, SCPR has been a fast growing, innovative, multi-platform public service newsroom. Every day, our staff helps audiences catch up on the latest headlines, solve the complexities of life in Southern California, and connect curious communities to one another.

Position Summary:

LAist Studios is Southern California Public Radio’s podcast production vehicle. We’re building an incredibly talented, diverse team of storytellers and we’re looking for an on-callSenior Producer to supervise stories on our LAist Studios’ podcasts, including our weekly show Imperfect Paradise. The right candidate is ambitious, strategic, and collaborative. You are as passionate about making unforgettable audio as you are in elevating the work of others.

You will wear many hats; producer, editor, project lead, distributor and evangelist. You will work with reporters, some new to long-form journalism, to create and shape podcast series.

What you should possess: an excellent ear for sound and storytelling; the ability to wrangle hosts and talent; a competitive and nimble spirit; excellent editorial judgment; experience experimenting; a ton of ideas and the ability to let those ideas go when they don’t work; a love for writing and structure; and, an appreciation for the art of editing and being edited.

There is a preferred candidate for this job.

Compensation:

The pay rate for this opportunity will be no less than $42.16 per hour and no more than $63.24 per hour. Exact pay rate determined by experience and education related to the role, organizational compensation structure, budget and internal equity.

Application deadline: April 1, 2024 (5pm PT)

Position Responsibilities:

• Lead development and production for LAist Studios’ podcasts that are in line with our mission to target diverse audiences.
• Identify audio storytelling opportunities across SCPR by leveraging existing talent and assets and developing original IP.
• Develop workflows for working with a mix of SCPR newsroom staff and outside freelancers.
• Work with the Executive Producer to build and help lead production teams for a variety of shows, from seasonal to a daily.
• Establish a structured environment for creative work.
• Ensure alignment with SCPR editorial ethics and standards and mission.
• Regularly engage and work with freelancers.

• Research ideas for podcasts, as well as write and edit podcast content on a range of subjects.
• Using human centered design principles, lead and/or participate in the production of podcast series, from development to execution.
• Liaise as appropriate with LAist underwriting, membership and development to strengthen the distribution and marketing of the podcast, in coordination with the Executive Producer.
• Work with other stakeholders within the organization to ensure that our content will have audience and sponsor appeal.
• Perform soup-to-nuts production tasks, including identifying and interviewing sources, booking, prepping hosts, writing scripts, researching, fact-checking, processing tape and making it sing, and managing talent.
• Work with reporters and producers to record in the field and in studio.
• With engineers and other staff, imagine and execute sound design concepts.
• Communicate constantly and clearly with other members of the newsroom.
• Manage multiple projects, deadlines, and responsibilities at once, keeping editors, hosts, producers, and others updated.
• With social media, video, digital and marketing teams, create audio assets for web, Facebook, Instagram, etc. to help reach big and diverse audiences.
• Supervise, train, and manage direct staff through providing work direction and on-going feedback.
• Foster a creative and productive work environment.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree OR equivalent work experience.
• 5+ years’ total work experience, including experience in journalism, content development and production for: podcast, terrestrial or satellite radio, or similar audio medium, and one year experience managing the work of other journalists.
• Experience with news writing, interviewing, and editing.
• Experience working collaboratively with creative and editorial talent.
• Experience with research, reporting, interviewing, storytelling, audio editing and sound design.

Required Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

• Understanding of emerging, digital-first media models.
• Experience as the showrunner or editorial lead for a successful on demand product.
• Understanding of public radio and its standards for journalism.
• A track record of developing content that draws on diverse perspectives
• Fluency in audio editing with ProTools, and knowledge of DAVID, CMS, and other systems for broadcast and digital delivery of audio.
• Top-notch organizational skills, attention to detail, deadlines, and time-management.
• Excellent communication skills, written and spoken.
• Ability to multitask.
• An independent work ethic combined with a love for and patience with the collaborative process.

• Ability to produce programs that meet SCPR standards.
• Proven ability to contribute to a positive, diverse, creative, high performance culture.
• Ability to advocate for program/resources/staff.
• Knowledge of budget management and ability to be fiscally responsible.
• Ability to evaluate content/quality/sound and act decisively with sound judgment.
• Knowledge of new media applications for digital distribution, audience engagement and community networking.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Experience using ENPS or equivalent.
• Fluency in Spanish or other languages desired.

Reporting to This Position: N/A

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

• Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to travel as required.
• Physical Demands:
• Required to move about in an office environment
• Reach with hands and arms
• Balance, stoop, kneel, or crouch
• Frequent use of hands for data entry/keystrokes and simple grasping
• Working Conditions:
• Moderate noise level

Southern California Public Radio (LAist 89.3/LAist.com/LAist Studios) is diverse in race, ethnicity, language, culture, social class, national origin, religious and political belief, age, ability, gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation in addition to other markers protected by law.

At SCPR, we strive to create an inclusive environment where we all feel pride in who we are and what we do. We are encouraged to show up as we are – always embracing and recognizing that our diversity is what brings us together. Our fundamental commitment to diversity:

• Enriches SCPR and provides an atmosphere in which all human potential is valued
• Promotes learning through interactions among people of different backgrounds and many perspectives, and
• Enables the organization to prepare all employees to promote social responsibility, equity, freedom, and productive citizenship in a global society

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage you to apply.