Digital Video Producer, Indigenous Communities

Application instructions for this and all current OPB employment opportunities are available at OPB's careers page.

About OPB

Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) is an independent, nonprofit media organization serving communities across Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. Powered by the generous support of members, OPB connects people through trusted journalism that is freely accessible to everyone. Guided by public service and a commitment to equity, we deliver in-depth, fact-driven coverage of politics, science and the environment, arts and culture, education and more. OPB shares stories and programs wherever people seek them: on opb.org, OPB Radio and TV, the OPB News app, social media, streaming video, podcasts, or our daily “First Look” and other email newsletters.

The Opportunity

We’re looking for a community-minded video producer with a desire to tell meaningful stories for and about Indigenous Communities of the Pacific Northwest. You will have the chance to develop your own stories and work on assigned stories; to work independently and in partnership with a team of talented cinematographers and producers; and to create a range of media from short social videos to features and documentaries ready for broadcast, YouTube and the PBS app.

You’ll be expected to produce stories with integrity and in a non-extractive way. You’ll be given time to learn and understand issues before reporting on them, and you will have the opportunity to develop and build relationships with indigenous communities and with OPB’s existing indigenous-focused media partners. Your day-to-day work will involve balancing a variety of tasks, including researching and workshopping ideas; writing scripts and pitches; reviewing media; partnering with video editors and cinematographers throughout production; working with your Executive Producer to solicit and integrate feedback; and attending meetings focused on story pitches and craft with peers on the Science & Environment team. Your stories will reach a wide audience, including under the banner of OPB’s flagship series, Oregon Field Guide, as well as Superabundant, Oregon Art Beat and Oregon Experience. You’ll have the opportunity to grow and experiment with video formats and help us find the best means of sharing stories that reflect the issues, solutions, celebrations and joy that shape life for Indigenous Communities across the Northwest.

All candidates should be comfortable conducting story research, interviewing, scriptwriting and supervising video production in the field. Candidates with additional multimedia skills in video editing and videography (cinematography) are strongly encouraged to apply.

We recognize the disparities of representation in media of Indigenous people in our community. We have an expectation that the successful applicant will have some first-hand understanding of the Indigenous communities we serve.

Position Details

The Digital Video Producer/ Indigenous Communities produces indigenous-focused outdoor, environmental and cultural video stories, primarily for OPB’s flagship series, “Oregon Field Guide”. The digital video producer understands and develops relationships with Indigenous communities across the Pacific Northwest and will create nonfiction stories on deadline for wide distribution across OPB’s digital and broadcast platforms. The digital producer is a strong storyteller and writer with experience creating feature-length and short videos (1-10 minutes in length) that meet the highest standards of journalistic integrity. This digital producer reports to the Science and Environment team but may also work on productions with Oregon Experience, Oregon Art Beat, Superabundant, the OPB News team or indigenous media collaborators.

Supervises

This position has no direct reports. The producer/reporter plans, leads and collaborates with staff (photographers and editors) and approves work 40% of the time.

Responsibilities

55% - Research and pre-production. Draw from a variety of sources and develop relationships that inform the production of Indigenous-focused video features. Produce video features and online content. In most cases, producer work with an editor and a staff cinematographer, but this could include opportunities for the producer to shoot and edit as well.

10% - Partner with other producers working on stories related to or involving Indigenous communities. This could include working with OPB News, Oregon Experience, Oregon Art Beat or other Indigenous-focused partner media.

15% - Maintain legal forms, releases, rights and story-related documents as necessary for video distribution and archival record-keeping. Maintain time sheets and expense reports. Work with marketing to provide material for promotion of programs.

5% - Make on-air or public appearances on behalf of programs or OPB. 

15% - Participate in meetings related to content development, media production and others as necessary.

Working Conditions

Most work is done in the field, in an office or in an edit suite. Our unit is currently hybrid, and this position requires a combination of work-from-home, in-office work and field work. A minimum of one day a week in the office is expected. In-office work and at-home work include extended periods of sitting and standing and involves the use of a computer and other production equipment. Fieldwork is required and includes travel to remote locations involving overnight, evening or weekend work.  Fieldwork is primarily outdoors and may be strenuous and includes working in inclement weather and/or in areas where modern conveniences are not available.  Out-of-town trips are normally limited to a week or less per story and may require varying modes of transportation and stays in non-traditional accommodations (campgrounds, yurts, cabins). Lifting and carrying of heavy equipment up to 30 pounds may be required.  Some hiking with equipment or long periods of standing may be necessary.

Minimum Qualifications

• Understands Pacific Northwest Indigenous communities and familiar with cultural and environmental issues important to the region’s many tribal nations.
• Strong track record of working on deadline as a producer of high-quality video, with skills in research, field production, interviewing and writing.
• Relates comfortably with a wide range of people.
• Ability to be on the road for up to a week per story.
• Willingness to work in all outdoor weather conditions.
• Record of collaborating with others in video production environments.
• Media production skills using Adobe Creative Suite or equivalent, as well as Microsoft Office and Google products.
• Adaptable, flexible and able to carry projects forward independently with             appropriate direction and judgment.
• Willingness to take initiative in a change-oriented working environment.
• Able to balance multiple priorities with speed and accuracy.
• Enthusiasm for the mission of Oregon Public Broadcasting.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience as a videographer/ cinematographer.
• Experience editing video.
• Experience writing articles or stories for online audiences.
• Comfortable making public appearances on behalf of OPB.
• Journalism degree, Bachelor’s degree in video-production related field or equivalent experience.

Additional Information

• This position reports to the Executive Editor, Science and Environment and is benefits eligible
• The probable hiring range for this nonexempt position is between $70,000-$80,000 annually, depending on qualifications.
• For the safety of our employees, the contractors/vendors we work with, and the public we serve, OPB has a mandatory COVID vaccination policy and all employees are required to show proof of vaccination