Early Education Reporter

EARLY EDUCATION REPORTER

WHO WE ARE:
Serving the country’s fourth-largest media market, KERA reaches more than 5 million people monthly through KERA TV, KERA News, KXT, WRR and The Denton Record-Chronicle. For more than 65 years, North Texans have turned to KERA as a destination for community engagement and lifelong learning.

As we seek to recognize and reflect our audience and communities, we encourage applicants from all backgrounds and points of view to consider employment opportunities at KERA.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Based at KERA in Dallas, the Early Childhood Education and Development reporter will cover a broad range of issues affecting young Texans and their families, such as the state’s school choice program, the impact of pre-K on student outcomes, childcare deserts and innovations in teaching and learning. While a strong understanding of education policies will be crucial, stories should center the voices of students, families and educators across North Texas to help our audience make sense of those policies. The coverage will include a strong focus on solutions journalism and accountability reporting.

This reporter will write and produce everything from daily news spots to in-depth features on all of KERA’s platforms - radio, video, social media and keranews.org - as well as contribute to KERA’s flagship daily show, NTX Now, and to our partners around the state. This is a great opportunity for a motivated, curious reporter who wants to explore early childhood disparities and connect with and elevate communities across our listening area.

KERA leads The Texas Newsroom – a regional hub of public radio stations across the state and NPR – so this reporter’s stories will air locally, statewide and sometimes nationally. The ideal candidate is someone who can put local stories in broader context.

This position is classified as FLSA non-exempt, is eligible for overtime and reports to the Specialty Beats Editor.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

• Tell stories and explore solutions to issues in early childhood education in North Texas through the voices of people most affected.
• Report, write and produce stories for radio and digital platforms. Bring a distinctive style and approach and find creative ways to report and produce audio. The goal: High impact with deep substance.
• Regularly use online digital reporting tools such as LexisNexis, Pacer, and the Texas Education Agency’s Reports & Data site to research and mine information for stories.
• Work collaboratively as part of KERA’s team and with partners across the state to build expertise, contribute compelling story ideas and experiment with innovative storytelling techniques.
• Develop multimedia projects that engage families and elevate children's’ perspectives such as photo and essay segments
• Attend education-related events when necessary.
• Build a community of sources – locally, statewide and nationally- to understand early childhood education issues. This includes families, educators, lawmakers, advocates and researchers.
• Produce a mix of daily news and enterprise and investigative stories.
• Work collaboratively as part of KERA’s team to contribute compelling story ideas, and experiment with innovative storytelling techniques.
• Cover breaking news in North Texas and beyond, sometimes outside the scope of the beat.

As a KERA employee:

• Work in a manner that is consistent with KERA’s mission, vision and values; and maintain compliance with all company policies and procedures
• Participate in fundraising activities as needed and assigned
• Perform additional duties as assigned

This list of job duties is not exhaustive and is subject to regular reviews and updates

WHAT WILL MAKE YOU SUCCESSFUL:
We believe a strong organization includes employees from a range of backgrounds, with different skills, experiences, and passions. If you don't meet every job qualification but have some of these skills and think you’re the right person for the job, we'd like to hear from you. Please apply and tell us more about yourself.

• Passion for education journalism.
• Undergraduate degree in journalism or related field.
• Demonstrated research, writing, and reporting skills.
• The highest journalistic and ethical standards, with dedication to accuracy, fairness and attention to detail.
• Ability to generate dynamic creative story ideas and cultivate sources.
• Eagerness to explore and develop innovative digital, social and video skills.
• Agility to shift journalistic modes quickly and nimbly: from deadline reporting to developing explainers to deep investigative work.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity in reporting and sourcing.
• Knowledge of Associated Press style, ability to exercise sound news judgment and follow KERA/NPR editorial standards.
Reliable transportation required for assignments/activities that involve work outside of the office.

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BONUS IF YOU BRING:

• Expertise in early childhood education and development policies, including childcare access, pre-K affordability and mental health.
• Strong audio reporting and production skills, and comfort behind a microphone.
• Public radio experience.
• Three or more years of professional journalism experience.
• Deep knowledge of the people, cultures, issues, and geography of North Texas.
• Proficiency or fluency in a second language such as Spanish.
• Experience with one or more of the following: multimedia production, particularly photography or video; working with one or more content management systems; other relevant technical expertise.

SALARY RANGE
$60,000 - $70,000, depending on experience



BENEFITS

• Generous vacation (3 weeks), sick (8 days), personal time (2 days) and holidays (11)
• Comprehensive health, dental and vision insurance
• KERA-paid short and long-term disability, basic life insurance and AD&D insurance
• Flexible scheduling and hybrid work environment
• 401k plan with KERA-contribution after 6 months
• Robust employee assistance program available to the employee and all members of their household
• Strong company culture focused on connection, belonging and professional growth

LOCATION:
We expect that this position will work out of our Dallas office at least 40% of the time. (Equivalent to 16 hours per week)

Time in office requirements are subject to change based on the needs of KERA and/or the position.

HOW TO APPLY:

• Complete the application on KERA’s employment page.
• Attach a resume with links to recent audio/digital work samples.
• Add an optional cover letter indicating why you’re excited about joining the KERA team.

APPLICATION TIMELINE:
We generally close roles 2-4 weeks after posting. The hiring process may continue for several weeks after the closing of the role depending on the number of applicants.

KERA is an Equal Opportunity Employer
KERA believes that diversity is important to our success. We are committed to equal employment opportunity and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, religion, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by law.