General Assignment Reporter - Grand Rapids, Minnesota - KAXE / KBXE

We seek a curious, collaborative general assignment reporter candidate who will engage and inform local people in the greater Bemidji, Grand Rapids, and Brainerd lakes areas through excellent reporting.

KAXE / KBXE reporter Larissa Donovan, right, conducts an interview in the field in 2023.

Job Title: General Assignment Reporter
Date Posted: Oct. 17, 2023
Application Deadline: Nov. 10, 2023
**The application period is now closed**

Introduction
KAXE, the first rural public radio station in the nation founded with enthusiasm and grit in 1976 in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, is hiring a general assignment reporter to join its new and expanding local newsroom.

Northern Community Radio is a nonprofit, community public broadcast organization, operating radio stations 91.7 FM KAXE Grand Rapids with a translator at 89.9 FM Brainerd, and 90.5 FM KBXE Bemidji as well as kaxe.org.

Job Description
The ideal applicant is an established journalist (in print, radio or digital) or has recent training or education in journalism with a track record of excellence, proven team collaboration skills and commitments to the ethics of public media and professional journalism.

We eagerly welcome individuals with diverse lived experiences and perspectives to enrich our work and bring fresh ideas into our organization.

The general assignment reporter reports to the news director and will be expected to contribute to daily newscasts and produce 2-3 original stories for digital and/or broadcast each week. This report will also be expected to manage medium- and long-term projects and work with other reporters on regional stories.

Your pitches and assignments will include day-of stories, enterprise stories and interviews with on-air hosts. You’ll produce news for all media distribution platforms including web, broadcast radio, podcast, video, social and emerging platforms. Digital storytelling skills are a must.

This position is based at KAXE’s studio in Grand Rapids with remote work as arranged. The ideal candidates will have knowledge or curiosity about the complexity and diversity of rural life in northern Minnesota. This is an at-will position.

The qualifications below are an example of skills that are key to this position. We welcome the opportunity to learn about other skills and experience levels that would make this a mutual fit.

Qualifications

We’re looking for candidates with:

College degree, preferably in journalism, communications or a related field.
Two (2) or more years of reporting experience (this can include a strong portfolio of student journalism).
Demonstrated news judgement, ethics and creative approaches to storytelling.
Enthusiastic about using journalism engagement practices to serve audiences.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills.
Experience with and commitment to the work of diversity, equity and inclusion in content, staff and community partners.
Experience with print/digital, multimedia and/or audio production.
An ability to thrive in a deadline-driven environment where attention to detail and accuracy is key.
Professionalism: punctual, reliable, and willing to sometimes work weekend and evening hours.
Access to reliable transportation.
Interest or experience in rural communities preferred.
Investigative or data journalism experience is welcomed.

This job posting is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employees. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

What we’ll provide

Investment in your professional growth through coaching, training and professional development.
A collaborative environment where risk, innovation and growth are fostered.
A commitment to continue and build upon our diversity, equity and inclusion work in content, staffing, board representation, and community partnerships.
The opportunity to collaborate with National Public Radio as a member station.

Compensation and benefits

Salary range is $40,000-$47,000 per year based on experience. In addition to salary, KAXE offers a compensation package that includes the following benefits:

Group health insurance.
Company paid life insurance.
5% company paid SEP.
Company paid cellphone service.
Mileage reimbursement for approved work-related travel.
11 paid company holidays.
4 weeks annual paid time off.

About Northern Community Radio

Northern Community Radio is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Our policy is to ensure equal employment opportunities in accordance with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations and guidelines.

Like all team members, the General Assignment Reporters will be expected to contribute to a work culture based upon respect, teamwork, and collaboration.

Our programs and employment are open to all. We value diversity and do not permit any discrimination against applicants, employees, or volunteers based on race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law or statute in any of our policies or programs. NCR fosters a culture of inclusion with equity, honesty, diversity, visibility, creativity, and trust as core values.

Position opened until filled.

**This position and the Northern Community Radio News Initiative are funded by grants from the Blandin Foundation and the Northland Foundation with a plan to become self-sustaining. Contact us for grant information if interested.