Visiting Professor

Overview

The University of Maryland’s Philip Merrill College of Journalism is seeking an experienced journalist to join its faculty in a dual role as a Visiting Professor and as the Public Editor for National Public Radio (NPR).

This is a unique opportunity to serve two institutions whose missions are focused on journalism and journalism education. This office will be housed at Merrill College, but have access to NPR facilities, including the headquarters in DC, and the opportunity to work with more than 240 independently owned and operated Member stations across every state and territory.

Public Editor

The NPR Public Editor serves as the public’s representative to NPR in matters of journalism and journalism ethics, providing a forum for audience views and reporting on behalf of the public. The Public Editor works to ensure that NPR’s journalism meets the highest editorial standards, and helps to hold NPR accountable to its values and mission. The Public Editor is critical to building and retaining the trust of the public in NPR.

The Public Editor performs duties including but not limited to:

• →Writing and speaking about NPR’s news coverage and journalism ethics, aiming for several blog and/or social media posts each week
• →Analyzing NPR’s journalism — the Public Editor is empowered to offer independent, informed, constructive criticism and praise of the work NPR does
• →Reporting on audience questions, complaints or comments by seeking insights and answers from newsroom leaders
• →Informing the public about NPR’s policies and practices
• →Providing leadership across public radio on matters of journalism ethics and standards
• →Visiting and connecting regularly with NPR Member stations across the country
• →Staying current on media ethics issues and trends
• →Preparing semiannual reports of activities for NPR’s President and CEO, and providing an annual update to the NPR Board
• →Supervising two employees who support the work of the Public Editor.

This person will be part of a world-class faculty and expected to teach one or two classes per year to journalism students and/or the greater university on subjects such as trust in the press, journalistic transparency, media criticism, media law and ethics, or other related topics. They will also serve on college and university governance committees.

This position is a full-time, year-round position. This person's office will be at Merrill College, but travel to NPR offices in Washington and to member stations around the country as required.

This position is not eligible for tenure at the University of Maryland. This is a three-year appointment with the potential for renewal.

A thriving, mission-driven multimedia organization, NPR produces award-winning news, information and music programming in partnership with hundreds of independent public radio stations across the nation. The NPR audience values information, creativity, curiosity and social responsibility — and our employees do, too. We are innovators and leaders in diverse fields, from journalism and digital media to IT and development. Every day, our employees and member stations touch the lives of millions worldwide.

• A CV or resume
• A cover letter in which you: 
  • Succinctly explain your interest in the position  
  • Explain, with specifics, how your experience and interests align with the listed responsibilities, requirements and preferred experiences 
• Links to three examples of your work, along with a brief explanation of your role in their production. 

Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.

The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization.  Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.

The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.

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