Work with Us | BirdNote

We're so excited you're interested in joining the BirdNote team! We invite you to take a look at current opportunities to be part of our organization and help us tell the vivid stories that bring the joy and wonder of nature to listeners all around the world.

At BirdNote, we're committed to creating the inclusive environmentalism we want to see in the world. We strongly encourage individuals from communities that have been historically underrepresented in public media and environmental organizations to apply to any opportunities.

Current Job Openings

BirdNote Daily Managing Producer

BirdNote seeks a kind, thoughtful, skilled, and organized Managing Producer for its flagship daily show about birds, BirdNote Daily and its Spanish language companion show, BirdNote en Español. BirdNote is an independent public media nonprofit that produces programs aimed at inspiring people to care about the natural world and take steps to protect it. These include the popular two-minute public radio show and podcast, BirdNote Daily, and a suite of other programs, including BirdNote en Español and the seasonal longform podcast, Bring Birds Back. Our combined public radio and podcast audience is 8 million listeners and growing. Working with an experienced production team, the Managing Producer ensures that programming meets production and distribution standards, processes, deadlines, and goals across multiple channels. This position reports to and works closely with the Content Director.

The ideal candidate is endlessly curious about the lives of birds and passionate about translating facets of the lives of birds into compelling, pithy, sound rich stories that inspire people from a wide range of backgrounds to care more about the natural world and take steps to protect it. The ideal candidate is also excited to join a team and lead with the shared values of 1) Respect & Stewardship, 2) Diversity & Inclusion, 3) Fun & Joy, and 4) Integrity & Courage. Learn more about BirdNote’s values here: www.birdnote.org/about/who-we-are.

Key Functions:

Managing the production of BirdNote Daily, coordinating the inputs of all staff and contributors to the show
Managing the production of BirdNote en Español, working with production partner organizations and BirdNote team members to ensure that episodes are written/translated and produced in a timely manner
Advancing BirdNote’s Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) goals and strategies through BirdNote’s content
Researching and writing new scripts for BirdNote Daily
Finding interview guests, conducting interviews, and producing interview shows
Reviewing pitches to BirdNote Daily and coordinating with the editorial team on pitch review
Fact-checking new scripts as well as blog posts, grants, newsletters, and other special projects; coordinating with the Science Advisory Council on any additional scientific review when needed
Editing new scripts and coordinating team review of scripts in a timely manner
Coordinating with freelancers on setting and meeting deadlines for the production of each assignment
Coordinating with BirdNote narrators to schedule recording sessions, provide direction/feedback on voiceover, and managing voiceover files for team use
Recording voiceover as needed
Providing feedback on monthly draft mixes
Sourcing high-quality bird sounds from the Macaulay Library, Xeno-Canto, and other databases
Reviewing photo options for new episodes, reviewing for biological accuracy and photo quality
Scheduling new episodes and reruns each month and aligning them with team goals across departments
Managing the episode database in Airtable, carrying out periodic review of the catalog for alignment with our IDEA goals and style guide, making recommendations for changes to past episodes
Working with the Content Director and other BirdNote leaders to set production goals and choose creative directions in line with BirdNote’s team goals and values
Collaborating with partner organizations on special projects: identifying key collaborations, building relationships with outside organizations, training team members from partner organizations on BirdNote’s production workflow, and ensuring consistent and clear communication with partner organizations
Acting as in-house biologist for listener questions about bird identification and wildlife sightings/issues from email and social media
Other duties as assigned

Desired Qualifications and Experience:

Strong existing knowledge base and insatiable curiosity about the lives of birds
Strong storytelling skills and a commitment to precision and accuracy in writing and editing
Experience and/or education in natural sciences
Experience and/or education in journalism/communications, ideally audio
Familiarity with audio editing software (ProTools, Adobe Audition, Hindenburg, etc.) is a plus
Proven ability to lead, manage staff and contractors, and contribute to an effective team
Knowledge of and experience with digital and social media
Experience and enthusiasm for building audiences and relationships with external stakeholders
Excellent written and interpersonal communications
Spanish language skills are desired but not required

Commitment to Antiracism:

The long and ongoing history of racial oppression in the United States and the centering of white people and privileged groups throughout much of the mainstream environmental movement requires us to intentionally practice antiracism in our organizational processes and media production. BirdNote is committed to creating the inclusive environmentalism we want to see in the world. We strongly encourage individuals from communities that have been historically underrepresented in public media and environmental organizations to apply.

Compensation:
Starting salary range: $65,000 – $70,000
Includes benefits package with paid time off, employer matching retirement contributions, and medical, dental, disability, and life insurance.

Location: This position is almost entirely virtual/remote. BirdNote staff must be eligible to work in the United States and be based in the United States. This is an exempt, 40-hour per week position with flexibility in scheduling, but required availability during portions of the regular M-F work week and occasional events outside of regular working hours. This position will require some occasional travel.

BirdNote is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status or disability (in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act) with respect to employment opportunities.

How to Apply: Email your resume and a cover letter indicating your interest in the position to [email protected]. We will request references from candidates who advance to the interview stage. Priority consideration will be given to applications received by November 15, 2024 and applications will be accepted until the position is filled.