Careers and Volunteers

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

News Editor, Gulf States Newsroom

The Gulf States Newsroom is seeking a creative News Editor to join our award-winning team covering important regional stories across Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana. The editor will help us tell compelling, high-impact stories on multiple platforms, with a special focus on audio storytelling for broadcast and podcasts. Our work meets the highest editorial and audio-production standards. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about local news, cares deeply about the people and communities in the Deep South, and loves the craft of audio journalism.

Location: Birmingham, AL — WBHM

Salary Range: $70,000-$75,000 depending on experience (APPLY HERE!)

Position open until filled, first review of applications begins April 10, 2026.

The Gulf States Newsroom is a collaboration among public radio stations in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana, along with NPR. Founded in 2020, it has established itself as a team that illuminates issues and amplifies underrepresented voices in this story-rich part of the country. Our work has been recognized with a number of awards, including a National Edward R. Murrow award for Investigative Reporting in the Large Market Radio category.

We track shifts in the region, from the building of data centers, to the challenges independent grocers have faced the last five years, and efforts to train a new generation of musicians after Hurricane Katrina. We follow up with communities to shed light on widely relevant issues like healthcare access in rural communities and the cost of a lifetime spent in prison.

We’re looking for a news editor with excellent news judgment and strong audio production skills to help maintain our high standards of audio journalism and make our work shine. We’d like someone who can identify topics of interest to people in this region, who understands how to make a story based in one community relevant to people across the area, and who can help reporters create stories with compelling sound and characters. The work needs to resonate with audiences in our three states and may also sometimes be shared with a national audience on NPR.

In addition, the news editor will serve as lead producer and host of Gulf States Gumbo, the weekly podcast we launched in 2024 that packages our stories for an on-demand audience. Other duties include pitching in on local editing for WWNO and WRKF and helping our other partner stations when needed.

The news editor will work closely with the Gulf States Newsroom’s managing editor and reporters as part of a collegial and collaborative team. WRKF in Baton Rouge, LA, is the employer for this position, but the editor can be based at any of our partner stations: WBHM in Birmingham, WWNO in New Orleans, WRKF in Baton Rouge, or MPB in Jackson, Mississippi.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Serve as the main audio editor for feature stories, newscast spots, and other audio content.
Lead podcast efforts, including serving as the producer and host of the Gulf States Gumbo podcast.
Help define and maintain high standards for the audio journalism we produce.
Collaborate with reporters and editors in the Gulf States Newsroom and its partner stations to plan coverage.
Identify opportunities for long-term and collaborative projects.
Help distribute content in a timely manner to the partner stations and NPR.
Assist with audio edits for WWNO/WRKF and assist as needed for MPB and WBHM.
Work with NPR editors to highlight the work of the news team and promote major projects.
Cover local, regional and national breaking news as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor’s degree and 2 years of journalism experience, 1 year of which would preferably include editing/producing experience.

We are dedicated to training and professional development, so if you are passionate about telling these stories, please apply – even if you don’t check all the boxes outlined here.

TO APPLY

Fill out the application form here. Be sure to attach your resume and a cover letter that explains why you are interested in this position and the Gulf States Newsroom and elaborates on why you are the right person for the role. Please also include two links to stories you edited, along with a few sentences explaining the backstory of the piece and your role.

Questions about this opportunity? Email connect@gulfstatesnewsroom.org

EMPLOYMENT DETAILS

The news editor will be employed by WBHM and live in Birmingham, AL.

Communities and Families Reporter, Gulf States Newsroom

The Gulf States Newsroom is seeking an energetic and enterprising reporter to cover the economic realities that affect families and communities in our three states. The reporter will spot and explore region-wide patterns, examine economic challenges and successes and illuminate the factors that drive people’s economic well-being. The resulting stories will often be locally grounded but will resonate across the South. This is an exciting opportunity for someone intrigued by the rural county where jobs have disappeared, the suburb courting a big new employer, or the city struggling to address its food deserts. You’ll do some traveling across Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama to these kinds of places and more.

Location: New Orleans, LA; Birmingham, AL; Jackson, MS.

Salary Range: $60,000 - $65,000 depending on experience (APPLY HERE!)

Position open until filled, first review of applications begins March 27, 2026.

The communities and families reporter reports directly to the Gulf States Newsroom Managing Editor and can be based at any of our partner stations: WBHM in Birmingham, WWNO in New Orleans, WRKF in Baton Rouge, or MPB in Jackson, Mississippi.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Pitch, plan and report news, feature and enterprise stories for all platforms, including broadcast, digital and social media.
Report from the field and collect audio, visuals and other materials to produce stories for all platforms.
Collaborate with editors and show staff to shape on-air two-way discussions
Speak fluently and conversationally live on the air.
Build web stories, including writing them and making photos and/or videos.
Develop a robust network of sources that reflect the diversity of the region.
Cover stories as assigned by the Gulf States Newsroom Managing Editor.
Collaborate with editors and reporters at partner stations and with other Gulf States Newsroom reporters.
Ensure that all work meets NPR News and station standards for accuracy, fairness, honesty and impartiality.
Perform other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION

Bachelor’s degree in Journalism or Communications or equivalent work experience.

REQUIRED SKILLS

At least 2 years of reporting experience
Demonstrated ability to develop, report and write stories of interest to a regional audience.
Ability to work quickly under deadline pressure and to report breaking stories for newscasts, shows and digital.
Ability and willingness to travel to report stories across the Gulf region.
Proven ability to work well with others, demonstrating respect for diverse constituencies within the public radio system.

PREFERRED SKILLS

Familiarity with the public media system.
Experience producing pieces, on-air conversations and live reports for radio, digital and social audiences.
Experience covering economic issues facing communities and families
Familiarity with the Gulf States region
Ability to speak a language besides English.

Does this sound like you? If so, we want to hear from you. All applications must include a resume and cover letter (with 2 story links) to be considered. Apply Today.

FCC EEO Reports & WBHM Diversity Statement

Questions about this opportunity? Email connect@gulfstatesnewsroom.org

Multimedia Producer, WWNO and WRKF

Are you a social media native? Is horizontal and vertical video production your second language? Do you like reaching public broadcasting audiences in new spaces? Come join us in New Orleans!

WWNO and WRKF form a regional newsroom with a shared focus to serve the New Orleans and Baton Rouge areas and beyond. We’re looking for a multimedia producer to help amplify the work of reporters in the digital space and own engagement across other platforms, like newsletters and social media.

This position is based at WWNO in New Orleans and reports to the News Director and receives guidance from the digital director. S/he will work with beat reporters and hosts to sharpen online storytelling through video, social media strategy, and develop a forward-looking approach to digital news. We’re looking for someone who can engage our existing audience in new ways and expand our reach to new places.

To apply, please send a resume, cover letter, and links to 2-3 examples of digital/social media projects you’ve created or managed (Be sure to explain your role) to ryanv@wrkf.org.

Location: New Orleans, LA or Baton Rouge, LA

Salary Range: $60,000 - $65,000

Position open until filled, first review of applications begins April 24, 2026.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Shooting and editing horizontal and vertical video
Work with reporters to amplify audio stories in the digital and social media space
Support reporters in the field on occasion to help turn video (vertical and horizontal) for web and social media
Curate partner content and publish to website/social accounts
Develop a social media strategy to boost the reach of stories
Write and help curate the station newsletters
Ensure that all content complies with NPR’s editorial standards
Work with the digital director to edit web stories as needed

REQUIRED SKILLS

Strong news judgment
At least 2 years of journalism experience
A proven track record of editing original, enterprise work
A collaborative spirit, excellent communication and organizational skills
Ability to handle multiple complex projects simultaneously and changing priorities/conditions
A discerning eye for copy editing and knowledge of AP style
A demonstrated ability to develop and guide stories that reflect the full experience of diverse communities
Ability to include audience and community engagement into the fabric of the story process

PREFERRED SKILLS

Familiarity with the public media system
Experience tracking story metrics
Data visualization experience
Experience editing or reporting in Louisiana
Experience with Grove CMS, or a comparable CMS
Ability to speak a language besides English

Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities

Throughout New Orleans Public Radio’s history, the station and volunteers have enjoyed a rewarding partnership. Volunteers assist WWNO’s staff at the station’s offices and participate in the station’s community events in the Greater New Orleans area. The service WWNO volunteers provide helps keep the station running — and the station greatly appreciates volunteers' generosity and enthusiasm.

Administrative
Year-round opportunities available in various departments include filing, answering phones, word processing, mailings and special projects.

Member Communications
Updating members’ addresses, compiling member information, and reaching out by phone are some of the ways that volunteers help us stay in touch with 5,000 listeners who support the station financially. We provide the training, you provide the talent and generosity. Writing, research and graphics talent are welcome too.

Membership Drives
During New Orleans Public Radio’s membership drives, volunteers are needed to answer phones and take pledges. Assistance is also needed with pre- and post-drive mailings. There are spring, fall and year-end drives each year.

Community Events
Volunteers help to staff tables at special events and act as ambassadors for New Orleans Public Radio, distributing literature and answering questions. Special events volunteers should have a friendly manner and enjoy talking to people about public radio.

Interested in volunteering? Contact us at 504-280-6060 or email donate@wwno.org.