Climate and Environment Reporter

Job Description

KTOO Public Media is looking for an experienced journalist to come work in our award-winning newsroom in Juneau, Alaska.

We need a reporter who is ready to localize big issues, like how climate change and weather affect Juneau and what the latest environmental science and research have to say about our place on a changing planet.

This reporter will be Juneau’s source for information when environmental disasters strike, like the yearly glacial outburst flood that damaged hundreds of homes this year or the more frequent heavy rainstorms that have increased the occurrence of landslides regionwide. Juneau is unique in the world for its vulnerability to urban avalanches. A reporter will craft these stories for local, statewide and, occasionally, national audiences.

Mining is a key part of Juneau’s culture and economic makeup. The successful candidate will be ready to dive into understanding the industry as it evolves and be well-versed on community concerns about its effect on local waters and wildlife, along with other development projects.

Southeast Alaska is full of stories about energy and food security and the ways Indigenous culture is tied to the surrounding landscape. Our communities are full of solutions stories that highlight ingenuity, hope and agency.

In order to succeed in this newsroom, the candidate should be interested in building relationships with historically underrepresented communities and want to approach any reporting on climate through an equity lens.

This reporter will produce news stories in a variety of formats for broadcast, web and social media. Our editors are here to help guide our reporting and make sure it meets our audiences where they are.

All KTOO reporters are expected to be able to keep up with daily regional news stories on deadline while working away on longer, enterprise reporting. They are expected to serve a local audience with news of local and regional importance and to also file relevant stories with the statewide public radio network and national outlets. We support and encourage reporters to pitch and work with national outlets to promote a full and realistic portrayal of Alaska life.

This position reports to the Managing Editor and works closely with other editors and reporters to identify and develop story ideas. 
 
Responsibilities: 

• Produce well-written, thoughtful news stories for web and broadcast
• Record and edit audio for daily broadcast, especially using field recording equipment, but also using studio recording equipment
• Seek out diverse sources for news stories, striving to put voices and perspectives on the air that our audience has never heard from or would not hear from otherwise
• Collaborate with the news team and other departments on special reporting series, podcasts and videos
• Collaborate with the rest of the newsroom to cover breaking news or general assignment stories outside their beat as needed
• Meet deadlines, follow AP style and uphold professional journalistic standards
• Help cover on-air hosting shifts when necessary

Preferred Background and Skills:

• Experience working in a newsroom or similar workplace, writing about climate, science, energy, environment or similar topics
• Experience building relationships with historically underrepresented communities and approaching reporting with an equity lens
• Strong writing skills, proven news judgment, and journalistic integrity
• Experience working with cross-functional teams across an organization
• Confidence in your own voice and in being yourself on the radio
• Enthusiasm for local news
• Willingness to learn new equipment, skills and workflows and the desire to constantly improve your craft

 Feel free to apply even if you don’t meet all of these qualifications.

About Us:

KTOO has a mid-sized newsroom in a small market, which means we have robust reporting power and a strong presence and reputation in the community. Our editorial focus is a mix of stories of local and statewide importance. Our reporters focus on city governance, housing, tourism & other local economic drivers, social justice, Alaska Native culture and governance, health and science, and climate.
 
KTOO supports station-wide efforts to increase diversity and inclusion. The newsroom is committed to consciously seeking out voices, perspectives and stories not found in other outlets or in the media at all.
 
We also know that a diverse and inclusive staff will lead to stronger reporting and a deeper connection to communities we serve. We strongly encourage women and non-binary candidates; Alaska Native, Indigenous and people of color; people with disabilities and those with diverse economic and educational backgrounds to apply. You will be supported by our team.
 
KTOO is honored to do our work on the homelands of the Lingít people, specifically, the Áak’w Kwáan. We are a highly visible public media organization with a strong commitment to local, regional and statewide program production. We operate three public radio stations in Juneau (KTOO, KRNN and KXLL), a regional public television station (KTOO-TV), a statewide public affairs television channel (KTOO 360TV) and an online news service (www.ktoo.org).
 
Compensation:  Annual salary of $60,970 plus competitive benefits including health insurance, retirement, generous paid leave and holidays, and 20 weeks of paid family leave.
 
Location: Juneau, Alaska
 
Apply online:     https://www.ktoo.org/job-opportunities/apply-online/
 
Application Deadline:  Open until filled with an initial screening of candidates beginning Monday, December 16, 2024.
 
 
KTOO is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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