Join BirdNote tomorrow, November 30th!
Illustrator David Sibley and actor H. Jon Benjamin will face off in the bird illustration battle of the century during BirdNote's Year-end Celebration and Auction!
Threatened is a show from BirdNote about protecting the birds and places we love, hosted by science reporter Ari Daniel, and features stories that touch on habitat loss, personal connections to nature, science, environmentalism, culture, politics, and history. The format is narrative nonfiction with a conversational tone. Producers report stories to Ari, supporting the story with sound-rich scene tape and interviews. Ari is typically woven through episodes, asking questions, helping to clarify complicated points, and tying together concepts. In each 25-30 minute episode we seek to include moments of humor, action, and thoughtful reflection.
We are looking for curious, self-motivated, talented, and kind people to join our team for season 3, which will focus on Puerto Rico and Hawai’i. Stories will be incorporated into a season arc that explores the dramatic effects of climate change on island communities, the meaning of sovereignty, US imperialism, and cultural links to the environment, all through the lens of bird science and conservation. While these are heavy topics, the show is rooted in love for birds and nature and the joy they bring into the lives of people, and that is reflected in the tone of the show.
We’re looking for a producer based in each place to take the lead on developing 4 or more stories (depending on length). This will involve pitching, research, field recording, interviewing, script writing, pulling selects, and voicing. The producer will work closely with their counterpart in Hawai’i or Puerto Rico, the host, editor, and BirdNote staff on outline, reporting, scripting, and fact-checking. Audio editing, episode assembly, sound design, and mixing are not the responsibility of the producer, but they will have the opportunity to provide feedback. Much of this work will be self-directed, but the producer will be working within a larger team and must respect deadlines and established processes.
Compensation is a $12,000 flat fee, based on 20-24 days of work spread over approximately 24 weeks, with most of the reporting taking place late Jan-March 2022 and script revisions and recording narration taking place in April-May. Tape syncs and field producers may be an option in some cases. Reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed, but must be approved before the cost is incurred.
The right candidate is a producer that is from Puerto Rico or Hawai'i or has strong ties to the area, will be living there in 2022, is fluent in Spanish and English (especially important for Puerto Rico producer), has access to field recording equipment and a recording space, has a background in journalism and/or science communication, and has experience in narrative audio storytelling.
Episode examples from past seasons: https://www.birdnote.org/listen/podcasts/threatened/block-island
https://www.birdnote.org/listen/podcasts/threatened/vultures
https://www.birdnote.org/listen/podcasts/threatened/boreal-forest
To apply for either the Puerto Rico or Hawai'i producer position, please fill out this form before November 30, 2021. You will hear back from us by EoD on Wednesday, December 15, 2021.
Questions? Contact Birdnote Content Director Allison Wilson.