Creative Media Producers

Working Title Salt Lake Area and State Government Reporter
Career Progression Track P00
Track Level P2 - Developing
FLSA Code
FLSA Code Professional
Patient Sensitive Job Code?
Patient Sensitive Job Code? No

Standard Hours per Week 40
Full Time or Part Time?
Full Time or Part Time? Full Time

Shift
Shift Day
Work Schedule Summary
Monday thru Friday. Occasional weekend and evening work will be required for scheduled and breaking news events. The reporter should expect to work and be available during Utah’s legislative session and elections. Due to the nature of this position, the reporter will be required to live in the Salt Lake metro area. Remote candidates cannot be considered. Some travel throughout the region will be required.

VP Area
VP Area President
Department
Location
Location Campus
City
City Salt Lake City, UT

Type of Recruitment
Type of Recruitment External Posting

Pay Rate Range
Pay Rate Range $53,000 - $58,000

Close Date
Close Date 02/03/2027

Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time)
Job Summary
KUER , NPR Utah is looking for an ambitious and enterprising journalist ready to bring a fresh spin to Salt Lake area and state government reporting. This savvy newshound has a robust understanding of the inner workings of state policy and government, and is able to translate that into deeply human, engaging stories. They will seek stories off the beaten path and center the audience to answer questions, fact-check assertions and delight our community across digital and broadcast platforms. The reporter will write frequently, producing short-form, long-form, social media and audio work.

About us
KUER serves Utahns with trustworthy news and information, expertly crafted stories, plus conversations and voices from around our state. To provide this essential public service, we’re dedicated to building an organizational culture that prioritizes collaboration. We seek a team that reflects our entire community, and we encourage contributions from people of varied experiences. We are committed to attracting and retaining a staff whose perspectives are heard and valued. This is essential to our success.

Benefits

Health, dental, and wellness coverage

Employer contribution to personal retirement

Free public transportation pass (Utah Transit Authority)

Paid leave time

Tuition reduction for employee and family members

Responsibilities

Prioritizes understanding what’s important to Utahns; proactively participates in the creative cycle of story origination with reporters, producers and the editorial leadership team

Closely follows state and municipal politics to enterprise stories that help Utahns understand the systems that shape our lives

Identifies and builds trust with sources to deliver unique and thoughtful journalism to KUER’s audiences

Writes, edits and records stories for broadcast and digital platforms, including video, audio and social content while adhering to strict deadlines

In concert with editorial leadership, makes timely and effective decisions for breaking news, reporting as necessary outside of regular business hours

Contributes to the creation of KUER’s award‑winning politics brand, State Street, by developing themes, identifying topics, reporting and hosting on various digital platforms and for community engagement events

Actively participates in KUER fund drives and represents KUER at community and station events

Minimum Qualifications
EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT : 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (Example: bachelor’s degree = 4 years of directly related work experience).

Requires a bachelor’s (or equivalency) + 4 years or a master’s (or equivalency) + 2 years of directly related work experience.

Department Specific Qualifications

Three to five years of previous professional journalism experience with a commitment to growth and innovation

Demonstrated understanding of U.S. and state‑level government processes (in legislatures, courts and city halls) as well as politics

Sound news judgment and knowledge of journalistic best practices, including experience with public media and AP style

Ability to identify stories and produce rigorous journalism from audience questions and conversations trending in the community or online

A portfolio showing strong interviewing, writing, fact‑checking and multi‑platform production skills

Ability to explain complex ideas and processes in a conversational, accessible and engaging way

Enthusiasm for creative storytelling that centers the audience, serves their needs and includes perspectives from across Utah

Commitment to writing for and appearing on multiple platforms such as video, social media, radio and occasionally TV broadcast

Strong organizational skills to manage simultaneous reporting projects and deadlines while regularly delivering high‑quality journalism

Contributes to the newsroom’s team culture by working collaboratively with editors and colleagues; approaches challenges with creativity, flexibility and a solutions‑oriented mindset

Preferences

Familiarity with Utah culture and politics

Previous professional multimedia journalism experience, including photography, video and audio

The ability to write and speak fluently in a second language

Additional Information
The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post‑retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post‑retirement rules.

This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.

Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy,

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