BROADCAST JOURNALIST: CLIMATE DESK

BROADCAST JOURNALIST: CLIMATE DESK

Post Date: July 2026

Aspen Public Radio is a 45-year-old public media organization serving the vibrant Roaring Fork and Colorado River valleys, nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. We seek a sharp, curious, and team-oriented person with a passion for covering climate and environmental issues. Our culture is friendly and familiar, but we are professional broadcasters with high standards. 

Who We Are Looking For:

We are seeking to hire an experienced broadcast journalist with a strong skill set that includes reporting, writing, producing, and hosting. We are looking for someone who is, above all, a good reporter and a team player. We also want you to be a strong writer, have solid broadcast production skills, and be comfortable delivering live newscasts and conducting live interviews on the air. Among other duties, you will be covering a critical beat that is focused on local climate and environmental issues throughout our coverage area as the Climate Desk reporter at Aspen Public Radio.

On this beat, you will focus on topics such as human impacts on climate change and ecosystems, environmental policies at the local, state and regional level, renewable energy, the local oil and gas industry, food systems, agriculture, and the effects of pollution on local water resources, including impacts to the Colorado River Basin. Aspen Public Radio also values solution-based journalism and will expect this reporter to investigate solutions and innovations to mitigate climate change, while questioning local industries and their environmental impact. 

This broadcast journalist will join a growing team, under the direction of News Director Halle Zander, to advance meaningful stories on air and online. You are a multitasker, able to work on in-depth stories and daily pieces simultaneously, and you care deeply about connecting with our unique community in ways that improve the public service we provide to our community’s diverse stakeholders. 

As a small station, every member of our news team is required to support evening production duties (one day per week), weekend coverage (approx. once a month), take substitute host shifts as needed, and participate in breaking news coverage. It is also assumed that each beat reporter will have approximately 25% of their coverage responsibilities held for general assignment.

Duties:

• Produce high-quality, accurate, and ethical reporting
• Write and produce spot news, features and interviews
• Cultivate a pool of sources throughout the Roaring Fork and Colorado River valleys
• Produce digital content for our website and social media channels
• Serve as a substitute host on Morning Edition and All Things Considered as needed
• Serve as the Morning Edition producer on duty one night per week
• Participate in the production of live events
• Maintain and cultivate relationships with people and organizations pertaining to your beat
• Work with the news director and regional NPR editors to nationalize local stories
• Participate in training and workshops to continue honing your craft and skills
• Attend donor and station events and participate in on-air fundraising drives

Required Qualifications:

• Solid experience in radio reporting, audio editing and production, and on-air anchoring
• Deep knowledge of the ethics and practices of journalism, including AP and NPR styles
• Excellent writing and editing skills
• Strong time management skills and ability to meet deadlines on a regular basis
• Well-practiced collaboration skills

Preferred Qualifications:  

• Prior climate reporting experience
• Environmental Studies  
• Understanding of the purpose and mission of public broadcasting

To apply: Please send a cover letter, resume, three (3) references, and three (3) audio reporting examples to [email protected] with “Climate Desk Reporter” in the subject line. 

Application review will begin July 22, 2026. Position open until filled; you may address the application to News Director Halle Zander. No phone calls please. 

This is a full-time salaried position reporting to the Aspen Public Radio news director, requiring availability for day, evening, weekend, and holiday shifts. It is required that this employee be a year-round resident in the Roaring Fork Valley. Aspen Public Radio offers full-time staff benefits including 100% employer-paid health insurance, paid vacation, and a 403(b) match. Ski pass financing and rapid transit bus pass financing is available. Salary is $65,000, with relocation expenses available. 

Aspen Public Radio is an equal opportunity employer.