Mental Health Correspondent, Science

Job Description

Mental Health Correspondent, Science (Temporary)
OVERVIEW

This correspondent is well-versed in the complexities of mental health and the broad range of private and public programs and research that relate to mental health, including governmental entities, academic institutions and professional associations such as the American Psychological Association and American Psychiatric Association. We're looking for a great storyteller who can move seamlessly between covering breaking news and producing deeply reported feature stories. The ideal candidate is able to turn compelling stories on the latest research, and also craft larger stories that center people who have various mental health challenges. We aim to engage the audience each and every time on both audio and digital platforms.

NPR's mental health correspondent has a thorough understanding and deep interest in research, in clinical practice, and in the health policy conditions that affect access to mental health care in the US This position may involve some domestic travel.

Successful NPR correspondents develop leads for enterprise stories and report and produce special projects for broadcast, digital and podcast audiences. They initiate and develop short-term feature stories and in-depth enterprise reports; file brief news spots and digital posts; and help prepare multimedia presentations. They are comfortable meeting tight deadlines for quick-turn broadcast segments and digital stories and also keeping long-term projects on track.

This position is a six-month, full-time assignment, based in Washington DC.

Collective Bargaining Agreement Statement: This is a union represented role covered under the terms of a collective bargaining agreement with SAG-AFTRA.

RESPONSIBILITIES
• Present mental health news and information in such a way that our audience clearly understands the significance.
• Concentrate on issues of health equity and how access impacts mental health and well-being.
• Monitor trends in how mental health care is delivered in the US.
• Develop mental health angles on various other important areas of coverage including social media, politics and gun violence.
• Find new ways into long-running stories about mental health and wellness – such as addiction, stress, and psychiatric disorders as well as issues concerning mental health access, workforce, insurance coverage.
• Evaluate research and studies for strengths, weaknesses and relevance to our audience, and explain it clearly and succinctly.
• Vet research prior to the pitch process, along with identifying essential elements of a story and anticipating issues of balance or fairness. Explain why the story is worthy of attention and why a listener/reader should care.
• Actively cultivate sources from under-represented and diverse communities.

The above duties and responsibilities are not an exhaustive list of required responsibilities, duties and skills. Other duties may be assigned, and this job description can be modified at any time.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
• At least 8 years' experience reporting in a daily or weekly national news organization.
• At least 5 years' experience reporting on evidence-driven biomedical, health or science news.
• Prepare and present reports in newsworthy, original, compelling and provocative ways. Understanding the difference between writing for audio and writing for text.
• This work will appear on all platforms from broadcast to online to podcast and newscast. The candidate must be skilled in multiplatform reporting and thinking in those terms.
• Use social media, web-based journalism and a broad range of multimedia to engage the audience and help build a community around NPR's mental health coverage.
• Thorough knowledge of health news, feature and investigative reporting techniques.
• Ability to handle multiple and complex projects simultaneously under stringent timeframes and changing priorities/conditions.
• Ability and willingness to work varied shifts.
• Proven ability to consistently work well with others, demonstrating at all times respect for the diverse constituencies at NPR and within the public radio system.

The Mental Health Correspondent will report to the Supervising Editor for Health Policy.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Three years' reporting experience in mental health, demonstrating a deep and extensive knowledge of the beat, including regular strong enterprise reporting and scoops.
• Proven ability to work effectively with minimal supervision, even in complicated situations.
• Three years' experience reporting in broadcast news or podcast format at national or international level.

WORK LOCATION
• Hybrid Permitted: This is a hybrid permitted role. Some aspects of this role include duties that are better performed at an NPR facility. The employee will be required to be onsite at the [Washington, DC / Culver City / New York City / Chicago] office at least 10 days a year. The employee must also reside in an NPR supported location based on the number of onsite days they choose.

JOB TYPE
• This is a temporary (6-month) full time position.

COMPENSATION
• Salary Range: The US based anticipated hourly rate for this opportunity is ($58.90) plus benefits. The rate displayed reflects the salary NPR expects to provide for new hires for the position across all US locations.
• Benefits: NPR offers access to comprehensive benefits for employees and dependents. Regular, full-time employees scheduled to work 30 hours or more per week are eligible to enroll in NPR's benefits options. Benefits include access to health and wellness, paid time off, and financial well-being. Plan options include medical, dental, vision, life/ accidental death and dismemberment, long-term disability, short-term disability, and voluntary retirement savings to all eligible NPR employees.

Does this sound like you? If so, we want to hear from you.

The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum salaries NPR expects to provide for new hires for the position across all US locations.

NPR Pay Range

$58.90
- $58.90 USD

Want more NPR? Explore the stories behind the stories on our NPR Extra blog. Get social with NPR Extra on Facebook and Instagram. Find more career opportunities at NPR.org/careers.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-g3ejeq-3-145-35-234-42 in your application.