Assistant Producer, Decoder Ring in at Slate

Slate is looking for a versatile, capable assistant producer to help us make our critically acclaimed podcast Decoder Ring, hosted by Willa Paskin.

The person we’re looking for has an affinity for audio storytelling and is eager to find untold stories grounded in pop culture and big ideas. They have a natural interest in adding perspective and context to complicated narratives. They have an eye for historical oddities and stories hiding in plain sight, as well as an ear for good tape. They enjoy spending hours scouring archives and old media for the perfect clips. The ideal candidate can move adroitly between booking, recording, writing, editing, tracking, mixing, and creative troubleshooting. They are a strong writer and have an excellent ear. They can integrate multiple rounds of notes and turn around careful edits on tight deadlines. Applicants must be self-starters who are efficient, personable, and open to experimentation, all while finding real joy in the work.

This position can be located in Slate’s New York or D.C. office. We will consider remote work for the right candidate. The annual base pay range for this job is between $75,000 and $81,000. This is a position covered under a collective bargaining agreement between Slate and the Writers Guild of America East.

APPLICATION DEADLINE IS 6/12

• Work with a host and team of producers to conceive and develop episodes
• Identify promising storylines, characters, and sound-rich tape opportunities
• Contribute to the research, reporting, and prep for interviews
• Edit rough cuts and implement script notes quickly and sensitively
• Find archival tape and other old media clips
• Arrange interviews and oversee recording sessions, often over remote connections
• Contribute to the scoring and sound design of mixes

• At least two years’ experience in radio or podcasting in a journalistic environment
• Excellent writing skills and story sense
• Demonstrated ability with professional audio editing software, preferably Pro Tools

Slate offers a comprehensive benefits program that gives eligible employees the flexibility to choose the right benefits for themselves and their families. There are three subsidized medical plans and two dental plans, provided by Aetna, which can be paired with flexible spending accounts.