Immigration Correspondent (Texas)

NPR’s National Desk is seeking an experienced, versatile and enterprising correspondent to cover immigration from a base in Texas. This means having expertise in policy, regulation and enforcement and being able to explain those things to a national audience on multiple platforms (radio, digital, podcasts). But it also means seeking out the people affected by the U.S. immigration system, its complexities and failures, and telling their stories with fairness, nuance and compassion. 

A successful candidate for this job will be bilingual - speaking English and Spanish – and be willing to travel regularly to the US/Mexico border and beyond. In addition to covering immigration as part of a team, this correspondent will be expected to travel throughout Texas, throughout the region and across the country to cover breaking news outside of their beat when needed. 

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

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Report distinctive stories on immigration, which will run the gamut from quick turn-around stories for breaking news to longer-term enterprise stories. Execute those stories on multiple platforms, including audio and digital.
• Develop news sources to get scoops and recognize big developments on the beat before others do.
• Engage with diverse sources.
• Report and write with authority, accuracy and fairness and meticulously check facts.
• Provide live information and analysis on NPR shows.
• Travel to the US/Mexico border with regularity and as story coverage warrants.
• Cover breaking domestic news outside of the immigration beat for the National Desk as needed, a responsibility that will require travel, often on short notice. 

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 4 years' reporting experience. 
• Demonstrated ability to pivot from breaking news to analysis to longer-form entrepreneurial reporting projects.
• Fluency in Spanish and English.
• Demonstrated ability to report for multiple platforms, including digital. 
• Willingness and ability to travel, sometimes with little notice.
• Ability to explain technical jargon, data and  policy topics so that a general news audience can understand their significance and relevance.
• Ability to meet deadlines and to thrive in a daily, unpredictable news production environment.
• Commitment to detailed research and fact checking.
• Proven ability and commitment to work well with others, demonstrating at all times respect for the diverse constituencies at NPR and within the public radio system.
• Commitment to learn and enact the best journalism practices.
• Ability and willingness to relocate. In the future, NPR may choose to transfer employees to other geographic locations. Severance provisions of the SAG-AFTRA collective bargaining agreement will apply should you choose not to accept a transfer.
• Commitment to cultivating and promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace.
• Commitment to cultivating and supporting an inclusive and equitable workplace culture.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience covering immigration.
• Experience reporting and producing audio journalism,
• Knowledge of public radio and the public radio system.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENT

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.

WORK LOCATION 

This is a remote-required role based in Texas.

JOB TYPE

• This is a full time, exempt position.

COMPENSATION

Salary Range: The U.S. based anticipated salary range for this opportunity is ($120,000 -$145,000) plus benefits. The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum salaries 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. 

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