KERA seeks a creative, enterprising multimedia reporter to help develop and launch an innovative new mental health initiative. The reporter will build on the success of KERA’s award-winning health/science/technology coverage to pioneer this new beat and deliver insightful and deeply reported stories that will shine a spotlight on mental health issues and tackle misconceptions.

Led by the mental health reporter, the initiative will play out across KERA’s media platforms – primarily radio, digital and social media. The reporter will also take a lead role in public engagement events and videos for digital outlets and television.

Depth, innovation and collaboration will be at the center of this job: The reporter will be equally adept at covering breaking news, creating compelling narratives from deep dives into research, cultivating sources and producing one-of-a-kind audio, video and digital projects. The job will be based in Dallas/Fort Worth/Denton, but will have statewide and national reach: KERA leads the Texas Station Collaborative, and is part of NPR’s partnership with Kaiser Health News.

Duties of the Reporter

• Develop and build a new beat reporting on mental health in North Texas and beyond. Create engaging multimedia stories from reporting, interviews, data and analysis. Bring a distinctive style and approach and find creative ways to report on an issue that touches almost everyone. The goal: High impact with deep substance.
• Work collaboratively as part of KERA’s team to build expertise, contribute compelling story ideas, and experiment with innovative storytelling techniques to create a new initiative from the ground up.
• Build and maintain a community around the beat – locally, statewide and nationally. Create, curate and participate in in-person and social media events and campaigns.
• Cover breaking news in North Texas and beyond for KERA News. Develop distinctive stories, from quick turns to in-depth projects, focused in the KERA listening area; and tailor content to multiple platforms for KERA as assigned.
• Actively participate in KERA fundraising campaigns and other duties as assigned.

Essential Qualifications

• Passion for and experience in journalism about health and/or mental health.
• Undergraduate degree in journalism or related field.
• Three or more years of professional journalism experience, and proven research, writing, and reporting skills.
• The highest journalistic and ethical standards, with an absolute dedication to accuracy, fairness and attention to detail.
• Strong audio reporting and production skills, and comfort behind a microphone.
• Eagerness to explore and develop innovative digital, social and video skills.
• Previous experience building a beat, developing topical expertise and bringing a fresh  perspective to vital issues, prioritizing impact.
• Ability to generate dynamic, creative story ideas.
• Willingness to experiment with storytelling methods and to adapt to changing platforms and audience needs.
• Agility to shift journalistic modes quickly and nimbly: from deadline reporting to developing explainers; from deep investigative work to producing live events.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity in reporting and sourcing. Ability to work within a diverse team with varying perspectives, ideas and life experience.
• Experience building audiences and communities online, and using connections made within an online community for reporting.
• A commitment to cooperation, teamwork, curiosity, and diversity.

Preferred Qualifications

• Deep expertise in mental health issues.
• Proven record of excellence in public radio journalism.
• Knowledge of Texas and particularly North Texas.
• Experience with one or more of the following: multimedia production, particularly photography or video; hands-on audio editing and innovative audio storytelling; working with one or more content management systems; other relevant technical expertise.

How to Apply

Please provide a cover letter, resume and recent work samples.

E-mail to: resume@kera.org
Fax to: 214-740-9323
Mail to: KERA, Attn. Human Resources, 3000 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, Texas 75201

North Texas Public Broadcasting is an Equal Opportunity Employer.