Reporter

Iowa Public Radio is searching for a curious, energetic person with great news judgment to join our News team as a central Iowa reporter in our Des Moines newsroom. You’ll join an award-winning team of reporters across Iowa covering topics including state government, education, health, the environment and Iowa’s diverse communities.

Your work will include newscast spots, pieces, and online articles. You’ll occasionally be asked to join one of our talk shows or news magazines to talk about a story you’re working on. You’ll also occasionally assist with coverage of the state legislature when it’s in session. We’ve got a strong relationship with NPR. We’ve been part of its political and state government reporting partnerships, and we’re part of NPR’s Midwest Newsroom, which focuses on enterprise and investigative reporting.

Des Moines regularly shows up on Top Ten lists of great places to live for recreation, low cost of living, and more. Like to eat out? Des Moines has a great selection of restaurants and brew pubs. Music? We’ve got music festivals like Hinterland, 80/35, and many other concerts and music venues. Like to bike? Check out the few hundred miles of connected bike trails that will take you from downtown, through the suburbs, and into the countryside.

If you’re passionate about impactful journalism, care about ethics and diversity, can handle several things at once and are committed to making great radio, we’d love to hear from you. We know there are great candidates who might not exactly fit into what we’ve described here or who have important skills we haven’t listed. If that sounds like you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself.

Iowa Public Radio is a well-respected and thriving non-profit organization. IPR offers an excellent benefits package, including health benefits, a retirement plan with a 2-to-1 employer match, immediate accrual of vacation (16 hours monthly) and sick (12 hours monthly) time and a flexible work environment.

Anticipated Hiring Range

$40,000 - $55,803

Minimum Qualifications

• At least 1 year of experience in a professional journalism environment, including internships;
• Experience working in multimedia platforms, including photographs, video and web platforms;
• Experience operating a variety of broadcast equipment including audio boards, digital editing systems (e.g. Adobe Audition), field recording units and other production equipment; and
• A valid state-issued driver’s license and reliable transportation.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Full-time experience as a public radio reporter, anchor, producer, or host; and
• Firm foundation in journalism ethics, news gathering and reporting techniques.
  
  

Application Process

For full consideration, applications must include:

• Cover letter, resume and contact information for at least three (3) professional references.
• Sample(s) of your work including:
• Please do not send stories you have produced with the help of a national network.
• Scripts for both a spot news and a news-oriented feature story.
• Two sound files: A demo containing one newscast-length story (45-60 seconds), and one feature-length report (3:00-5:00) that you have written and produced. Please upload the demos to Soundcloud or another hosting site and send us the links.
• Online content you have produced (please send links). Online content can be a web build-out of a radio story or news content that was designed to be web-only.
  
  

Employment at Iowa Public Radio is dependent upon successful completion of a criminal background check including a driving record review.

IPR will accept applications through 5:00 p.m. Monday, June 10, 2024.

Our Values

• Integrity: We maintain the highest standards of journalism, providing trustworthy and relevant content with meaningful context.
• Curiosity: We serve an inquisitive audience by asking questions, seeking knowledge, and exploring new ideas.
• Belonging: We strive to reflect Iowa’s cultural complexity by offering a supportive, equitable space for individuals and communities to tell the stories unique to their lived experiences.
• Respect: We create a culture of respect for our audience, sources, and staff.
• Innovation: We support creativity and embrace new ways of serving our audience.
  
  

Our Commitment To Equal Employment Opportunity

Iowa Public Radio is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin or sex is prohibited. If you believe you have been a victim of discrimination, please notify the appropriate local, state or federal agency.

Salary : $40,000 - $55,803