Joan Cirillo Emerging Journalist Fellow

Do you have an interest in exploring a career in public media? Are you curious to learn how to produce segments on a daily talk show like Think Out Loud®, write breaking new stories for opb.org or assist with production of a TV program such as Oregon Art Beat? Do you have some practical journalism experience that you want to build on by spending time with different content teams to learn the responsibilities of positions in the field of journalism? The one-year Joan Cirillo Emerging Journalist Fellowship could be a great opportunity for you to gain experience in public media.

This one-year journalism fellowship is made possible by a generous gift from Roger Cooke and Joan Cirillo. The fellowship is named for Mrs. Cirillo, an independent journalist, author and philanthropist, who has written for a variety of regional, national, and international news organizations. We are excited to use this gift to build more journalism expertise in Oregon during this time when local and regional news reporting are so urgently needed. Over the course of a year, our first fellow learned how to book guests and produce segments for Think Out Loud®, reported and produced a series of features for the web and air, produced segments and anchored newscasts for All Things Considered, went out into the field and assisted in post-production with Oregon Field Guide, and completed their final rotation in programming to operate the board and announce on the air. The incoming fellow’s experience will be different, tailoring the rotations to their interests developed in partnership with the VP, News, and a staff mentor. Fellows also receive regular career counseling and opportunities to talk with journalists elsewhere in public media.

The Opportunity

This is an annual opportunity designed for early-career journalists. This fellowship includes three to four rotations across OPB Content teams, based on the fellow’s interests and organizational needs. Fellows may report and edit for OPB News, produce talk shows or news magazines, work as digital producers, or assist with video programs such as Oregon Field Guide and Oregon Art Beat. Training in reporting, interviewing, audio and video editing, digital production, and storytelling is provided for each rotation.

Fellows also receive newsroom mentorship, career counseling, resume and cover letter support, opportunities to connect with OPB staff and journalists, and professional development through conferences and webinars. 

Position Details

OPB’s Joan Cirillo Emerging Journalism Fellow spends a year immersing themselves in the many possible career opportunities in public media. The fellowship is intended for early career journalists from underrepresented or non traditional  backgrounds.  Each fellow’s year will be different, and it will include 3-4 rotations with different teams based on interest. The typical year includes periods of reporting for the OPB news team, producing segments for our daily talk show or news magazines, and producing video stories for digital and broadcast. Training is provided for all rotations so that the fellow gains proficiency in different skills and exposure to the varying roles that one could pursue in public media. The fellowship year will also include regular meetings with a mentor, career counseling video chats with journalists elsewhere in public media, and professional development opportunities such as attending journalism conferences and webinars.  

Responsibilities 

70% Support various OPB Content teams on rotating programs:

• Participate as an active member of the OPB Content team, with specific  rotations  dependent on fellow’s interests and OPB team availability. Assignments  may include time reporting and editing stories for OPB news,  producing daily talk show or news magazine, serving as a digital producer,  or assisting with production of an OPB TV program, such as Oregon Field Guide or Oregon Art Beat. By the end of the year, fellows will have learned basic skills in interviewing news stories and editing audio and video, and they will be ready to apply for jobs in public media. 

25% Participate in mentorship and development opportunities:

• Professional development opportunities and career counseling including resume and cover letter development and feedback, regular meetings with a newsroom mentor and supervising editor, conversations with journalists elsewhere in public media and conversations with OPB employees in Content and other departments.  Fellow can join OPB’s equity team to build competency and understand ongoing diversity, equity and inclusion organizational work.

5% Collaborate with OPB staff to improve fellowship program:

• Assist OPB editors and producers in promoting, planning and recruiting for the fellowship program. 

Working Conditions

• The fellow will divide time between office/studio and field work as needed for newsgathering. That may include travel to remote locations, working evenings or weekends, and possibly working in inclement weather.
• In-state travel and driving are common, though trips are short. Some out-of-state travel may be optional to attend journalism conferences and other professional development opportunities.  
• Lifting and carrying equipment up to 20 pounds is sometimes required. 

Minimum Position Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Demonstrated interest in journalism through some prior experience 
• Eagerness for a career in public media 
• Ability to function in a deadline-driven environment 
• Commitment to high ethical standards in journalism 
• Enthusiasm for the mission of OPB and public media 
• Professional or personal experiences that will provide a unique perspective to the OPB newsroom and the field of journalism 

Preferred Position Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Bilingual in English and another language, preferably one spoken in communities in the Pacific Northwest (for example, Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese or Russian).  
• Practical experience in journalism 
• An eye for diverse voices and sources in stories 
• Photography or video production skills 
• Experience using digital audio recording equipment and editing software 

Additional Information

• This full time, temporary position reports to the News Training Editor, is unrepresented and benefits eligible.
• The expected minimum hiring range for this role starts at $37.73 / hour and compensation will depend on the qualifications and duties of the selected candidate.

This position will remain open until filled; however, we will begin reviewing applications and scheduling interviews the week of September 21st, 2026.  

OPB is an Equal Opportunity Employer.