News Assistant Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Position Summary:

MPR News is seeking a talented news broadcast producer to lead our morning drive-time news team.

The ideal candidate has a passion for live and local news, building audiences, and leading teams. You can balance big, long-term projects with day-to-day news coverage — and you know how to keep a broadcast moving while feeding strong stories out across platforms.

You will direct the daily work of a team of producers, partner closely with our on-air host to shape sharp, distinctive daily programming, and coordinate coverage plans and handoffs with the afternoon producer to keep news flowing seamlessly across the broadcast day. You'll pitch and produce interviews and debriefs, collaborate with editors and reporters, and drive our news coverage across broadcast, digital, and social platforms.

MPR News remains committed to local broadcasts and to providing a space for Minnesotans to gather and share their stories. We're looking for a producer who is devoted to elevating local voices and local stories. You understand the urgent need to practice more equitable journalism and are committed to collaborating with the entire newsroom to do so.

Minnesota's communities are changing, and so are the stories that need telling. Nearly 20 percent of Minnesotans and almost 30 percent of Twin Cities metro residents are Black, Indigenous, or people of color — voices and experiences that deserve to be heard on the air, not just talked about. You believe great local news reflects the full range of the communities it serves, and you're eager to help build morning coverage that more Minnesotans recognize as their own.

You are curious, collaborative, decisive, and creative. You have a willingness to try new things and the ability to give constructive, consistent feedback.

Beyond directing daily workloads for your team, you will oversee implementation of their professional development plans crafted by the assistant program director.

This position sits in the collective bargaining agreement between MPR and Screen Actors Guild—American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (“SAG-AFTRA”).

Expected Compensation Range: $83,640 - $100,368 per year. The exact salary rate is determined by experience and education related to the role, organizational compensation structure, and internal equity. 

Location: Hybrid, St. Paul, MN

Application Process: Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Position Responsibilities:

• Plan long-term goals for programs.
• Direct and oversee the work of other producers.
• Maintain highest journalistic standards across all platforms.
• Track diversity of sources and hold staff accountable to sourcing goals.
• Communicate the vision of the program to the staff and collaborate with other newsroom colleagues to elevate MPR News editorial goals.
• Ensure the program’s overall tone and balance.
• Consistently assess the program’s content and priorities.
• Supervise editing and post production.
• Oversee social media plan for the programs.
• Lead staff by:
• Creating a culture of constructive performance coaching and regular, on-going feedback.
• Encouraging creativity, invention and productivity.
• Embracing diversity in staff make-up.
• Creating and encouraging individualized development opportunities and plans for staff.
• Originate story ideas for the programs and produce segments.
• Direct live broadcast of the programs.
• Develop and produce special programs and remote broadcasts.
• Collaborate with Membership department during fund drives.
• Oversee archiving of the programs.
• Oversee production of promos.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience
• Minimum of seven years’ experience in fast-paced, idea-driven broadcast journalism environments
• Experience working with on air talent

Required Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

• Ability to produce programs that meet MPR News standards
• Proven ability to contribute to a positive, diverse, creative, high-performance culture
• Ability to advocate for program/resources/staff
• Supervisory skills and ability to recruit, coach and develop talent
• Leadership and personnel skills and ability to inspire and lead the staff
• Ability to manage change
• Ability to evaluate content/quality/sound and act decisively with sound management
• Knowledge of new media applications for digital distribution, audience engagement and community networking

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Fluency in Spanish, Somali, Hmong or other languages commonly used in Minnesota
• 3-5 years experience managing people
• Broadcast control room experience

Reporting to this Position:

None

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

• Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to manage some work outside of standard office hours as needed.
• Physical Demands: 
• Required to move about in an office environment and sit for extended periods of time
• Required to move about in the community
• Frequent use of hands for data entry/keystrokes and simple grasping
• Working Conditions: 
• Moderate noise level

APMG offers a comprehensive benefits package including Medical plans with HSA and FSA options, Dental, Vision, Life and AD&D, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Paid Parental Leave and Paid Caregiver Leave after 1 year, Vacation (3 wks./per year, pro-rated, based on hours worked), Sick time (12 days, pro-rated, based on hours worked), Holiday Pay (10 holidays + 2 floating holidays each year), Volunteer Time (8 hours per year), Long-Term Care and Critical Illness insurance options, Employee Assistance Program, 403(b) Retirement Plan, and more.

Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage members of diverse groups to apply.

MPR News and its staff adhere to journalism ethics and integrity as outlined in the MPR News Ethics Guidelines.