Life in northern Michigan relies on the water, land, forests and other natural wonders of the upper Great Lakes region. IPR is committed to journalism that deepens our understanding of the natural world. That world is changing and our journalism needs to keep up.

Through Interlochen Public Radio, millions of people have heard about the changing food web in the Great Lakes, farmers trying to adapt to climate change and a variety of issues that come with northern Michigan’s increasing popularity as a travel destination. We need help!

IPR is looking to hire a reporter to strengthen our coverage of the things that matter most to our listeners. IPR is committed to original and rigorous reporting that explores the intersection and well-being of our environment and human economies and culture. We need an ambitious reporter who will ask original questions, break stories, develop new sources and provide explanatory and illuminating journalism. While we focus on critical issues we also want to increase peoples' delight in living, visiting and knowing about the upper Great Lakes region.

Job Summary:

The environmental news reporter is a key part of the IPR news team. Your stories are heard on our local presentations of Morning Edition and All Things Considered, appear on our website, and are shared with other public radio stations across Michigan. You’ll be a regular contributor to our award-winning Points North podcast. And you’ll be encouraged to pitch stories for national broadcast on NPR.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Produce environmental news stories for public radio audiences.

• Produce related and unique digital content.

• Help produce our biweekly podcast Points North.

• Work collaboratively with other news organizations and cultivate peer to peer relationships with other journalists.

• Represent IPR during occasional public events. Recent examples include trivia nights and a live on-stage presentation by the national program Science Friday.

• Participate in on-air fund drives.

• Pitch stories to NPR.

• Seeks the best use of materials, equipment and staff to maximize efficiency and effectiveness.

• Complies with ICA policies/procedures and acts as a good steward of ICA finances.

• Respects the culture, diversity and rights of all students, their families and the community.

• Prioritizes duties in a manner consistent with organizational objectives and growth.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Experience:

Education: Bachelor's degree required

• Some experience in journalism required

• Familiarity with the principles of professional journalism is required, but entry level candidates will be considered.

• Experience doing scientific or environmental reporting helpful

• Public radio experience preferred

• Ability to meet daily deadlines and manage multiple stories concurrently

Equipment Familiarity (preferred):

• Google Drive Suite
• Mac OS
• Adobe Audition or similar audio editing software
• Field recording gear, including recorders and microphones

 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Ability to follow and execute specific verbal and written instructions.

• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.

• Ability to promote and maintain positive interaction with all internal and external stakeholders.

• Demonstrate respect for cultural, ethnic, spiritual, and linguistic diversity and values including differences in personal goals, lifestyle choices and varying family backgrounds and histories.

Safeguarding our students, guests, and employees is a valued mission within Interlochen Center for the Arts. As a condition of employment, Interlochen Center for the Arts requires all new hires to receive various vaccinations, including the influenza and COVID-19 vaccines, barring an approved exemption. Prior to beginning employment, all employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and all new hires will be required to submit proof of vaccination prior to their start date.

Benefit Package:4

Health, dental and vision insurance

Employer paid and voluntary life insurance

Employer paid short and long-term disability

Employee development & tuition reimbursement programs

Sick Time and Paid Time Off

Ten company paid holidays

Employee discounts to Interlochen events and performances

Childcare: Interlochen is proud to provide priority placement at Pitter Patter Preschool & Childcare located in the Interlochen Community Center, near our campus, for employees' dependents. In addition, Interlochen employees may be eligible for the MI Tri-Share Program. This program shares the cost of childcare between the state of Michigan, Interlochen Center for the Arts, and the employee (The employee will only pay 1/3 of the total cost, if eligible). Income guidelines and more information about MI Tri-Share can be found at https://www.michigan.gov/mwc/initiatives/mi-tri-share-child-care.