Npr Music Jobs (NOW HIRING)

OVERVIEW
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Application Deadline: July 27, 2026 at 5pm ET
Intro to Position
NPR is seeking a skilled and creative journalist to join the editorial staff at Weekend Edition and Up First.
Weekends are special. NPR's Weekend Edition digs into the news of the week with a distinctive, thoughtful approach, and also offers probing cultural conversations and pops of whimsy and joy. We are looking for a curious, energetic news editor with broadcast experience who wants to do collaborative work with a supportive, close-knit team.
Please note that the regular work schedule for this role includes weekends.
This is a union-represented role covered under the terms of a collective bargaining agreement with SAG-AFTRA.
This is an NPR editorial role covered under the terms of the NPR Ethics Handbook.All editorial staff are bound by this guidance. Editorial staff is defined as staff members who play a role in shaping the journalistic or creative direction of NPR's content, including events.
Application Instructions
Along with your resume, please submit a cover letter explaining your interest in the role and one story pitches tailored to the Weekend Edition audience (be sure to address why you feel they are a fit for the weekend).
Responsibilities

• Editorial Production: Pitch, script and edit high-impact news and feature stories for two weekly newsmagazine broadcasts.
• Editorial Decision-Making: Guide editorial direction and provide clear guidance in pre-recorded and live host interviews with outside guests and network reporters.
• Workflow Management: Establish work priorities to effectively balance multiple weekly assignments on tight deadlines.
• Team Collaboration: Productively collaborate with Weekend Edition producers, managers and hosts, as well as colleagues across the newsroom and the broader NPR network.
• Field Production: Travel with hosts and production staff on field reporting assignments as needed.
• Live Broadcast Leadership: Serve as a core line editor for Weekend Edition's live broadcasts and the Up First podcast.
• Mentorship: Provide clear constructive feedback and editorial guidance to producers.
• Compliance: Uphold and champion NPR's editorial, ethical and journalistic standards in all daily assignments.

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 6 years of experience as an editor, reporter, or producer in a professional newsroom environment.
• Proven experience covering compelling news-driven stories across a broad range of subject areas (e.g., world news, politics, business, science, sports, arts and culture).
• Demonstrated ability to write and edit clear, engaging broadcast copy under tight deadline pressures.
• Strong familiarity with audio storytelling principles and the creative, effective use of sound.
• Proven ability to coordinate and prioritize multiple complex editorial projects simultaneously.
• Ability and willingness to travel on assignment as required.
• Ability and willingness to work varied shifts as assigned (including early mornings, late nights, or weekends) to support live broadcast requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional work experience at an editorial newsmagazine.
• At least 3 years of professional experience at a national news organization.
• Deep understanding of the public radio ecosystem and audience engagement strategies.
• Experience editing or producing multimedia content and digital assets.
• Experience working alongside broadcast news hosts/talent.

Education Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience.

Work Location & Requirements

• Hybrid-Permitted: This is a hybrid permitted role. The employee will be required to be in the office at the Washington, D.C. location at least 3 days a week. The employee must also reside in Washington, D.C. Metro Area.

Job Type

• This is a full-time, exempt position.

Compensation
Salary Range: The U.S.-based anticipated salary range for this opportunity is $110,000 - $113,000 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.
NPR Benefits: NPR provides 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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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
$110,000-$113,000 USD
NPR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. NPR is committed to being an inclusive workplace that welcomes diverse and unique perspectives, all working toward the same goal - to create a more informed public. Qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, religious belief, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, lactation, and reproductive health decisions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, transgender status, gender non-conforming status, intersex status, sexual stereotypes, nationality, citizenship status, personal appearance, marital status, family status, family responsibilities, military status, veteran status, mental and physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, genetic characteristics of yourself or a family member, political views and affiliation, unemployment status, protective order status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, or any other basis prohibited under applicable law.
If you are a person with a disability needing assistance with the application process, please reach out to employeerelations@npr.org.
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