NPR’s Washington Desk produces sophisticated yet accessible coverage of the White House, Congress, the Supreme Court, the Justice Department and electoral politics. Vital to our mission are the following: original reporting, insightful analysis and a commitment to explanatory journalism. Known for our work ethic, the Washington Desk aspires to great storytelling both on air and online. Our coverage is featured on Morning Edition, All Things Considered, NPR.org, The NPR Politics Podcast and Up First.
This full-time Editor will work closely with the Political Editor to direct NPR’s news and feature coverage of the 2020 election. This editor will focus particular attention to daily developments on the campaign trail and coordinate with our reporters traveling with candidates. He or she should bring creativity, energy and sophistication to our political coverage. He or she should think expansively about content and the best ways to deliver it. The job requires attention to detail, big picture thinking and concern about craft. The editor must have excellent news judgment, the ability to work under deadline pressure and the ability to work collaboratively with editors across the network. The editor should have experience covering political and policy news and a passion for it.
This position is a short-term position that will extend through January 2021. It is based in Washington, DC but will involve some travel. It will also require regular weekend work and being flexible with your schedule.
- Contribute to planning for news and feature coverage of the 2020 election for all platforms;
- Coordinate coverage plan with shows, digital editors and other desks;
- Generate story ideas and review story pitches, help develop storytelling approaches and sources and determine the best platform for news coverage, including making suggestions for interviews and establishing contacts;
- Assign, develop and edit original stories from other NPR staff;
- Protect the editorial integrity and quality of news online and on the air, ensuring that all stories meet NPR program standards and practices, including standards of fairness, objectivity and balance;
- Provide feedback to supervisors for performance evaluations;
- Other duties as assigned.
- Strong oral and written communication skills;
- 2+ years of experience editing news stories at the national level;
- Experience in editorial decision-making, including assigning reporters/correspondents;
- Ability to handle multiple and complex projects simultaneously under stringent timeframes and changing priorities/conditions;
- Ability to work quickly and efficiently under deadline pressure;
- Ability and willingness to work to work varied shifts;
- Demonstrated team collaboration skills;
- Knowledge of audio production;
- Experience in digital media, including editing copy.
NPR offers a competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package including health and wellness benefits, retirement, and work/life balance programs, as well as opportunities for career growth and development.