General Assignment Reporter - Northeast Minnesota - KAXE / KBXE
Job Title: General Assignment Reporter - Northeast Minnesota
Date Posted: 5/15/26
Application Deadline: 5/31/26
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 expanding local newsroom.
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 on the communities in Northeast Minnesota.
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 at least 2-3 original stories for digital and/or broadcast each week. This reporter 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 occasional interviews with on-air hosts. You’ll produce news for all media distribution platforms including: web, broadcast radio, podcast, video, social media 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.
Listed below are examples of the qualifications and 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.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Research, develop, write and produce daily news stories on relevant areas for public broadcast and digital audiences
- Develop longer feature stories that tell deeper, bigger stories than daily coverage can accommodate
- Produce high-quality work that is accurate, fair, balanced and professional
- Meet daily deadlines
- Cultivate sources in relevant areas, including connections to local government, businesses and nonprofits, as well as a diverse variety of community members
- Explore how various issues are impacting the assigned coverage area by finding local stories, and localize national and/or international stories as appropriate
- Submit data requests and be willing to look deeper on a story
- Rework all broadcast stories for posting for online and social media, adding photos, videos, additional audio, data, links, charts and maps as needed (Some stories and/or rewrites may be assigned for digital use only)
- Work within the content management system and various social media channels
- Operate field audio equipment and audio editing systems
- Take digital photos and videos for web stories and social media
- Host radio newscasts and appear on live radio on an as-needed basis
- Adhere to the Northern Community Radio (KAXE / KBXE) Code of Integrity, newsroom policies and editorial standards
- Perform other duties as assigned
Qualifications
- 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, media ethics and creative approaches to storytelling
- Enthusiastic about using journalism engagement practices to serve audiences
- Experience with and commitment to the work of diversity, equity and inclusion in content, staff and community partners
- Interest or experience in rural communities preferred
- Investigative or data journalism experience is welcomed
- Access to reliable transportation
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
- An ability to thrive in a deadline-driven environment, where attention to detail and accuracy is key
- Computer literacy is necessary, including word processing; spreadsheets; editing audio, photos and video; designing graphics and more
- Excellent communication skills, organizational skills and attention to detail
- Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills
- Willingness to work in a “culture of candor”
- Ability to prioritize effectively among varied and competing job duties
- Ability to work productively with different kinds of people
- Must have a strong commitment to public media and the Northern Community Radio (KAXE / KBXE) mission
- Professionalism: punctual, reliable, and willingness to sometimes work weekend and evening hours
- Available for contact after hours
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
The starting salary range is $40,000-$50,000 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 Inc., which operates KAXE and KBXE, 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 Reporter 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, McKnight Foundation and the Bush Foundation with a plan to become self-sustaining. Contact us for grant information if interested.
