Proof Listener

Pocket FM is looking for Proof Listeners to help ensure the quality and consistency of our Japanese audio content before it reaches listeners. This is a hands-on quality assurance role focused on listening to completed audio episodes, identifying audio, narration, pronunciation, and other production-related issues, and accurately documenting them for the relevant teams.

As a Proof Listener, you will listen carefully to full-length audio episodes, identify any errors or inconsistencies, and log each issue in Pocket FM's CMS with an accurate timestamp and clear description. You will be trained on Pocket FM's quality standards, review process, and CMS workflow to ensure issues are identified and reported consistently and accurately.

The ideal candidate has professional experience in fictional audio entertainment, such as audio dramas, audiobooks, podcasts, or voice-over production, and has a strong understanding of Japanese-language audio and narration quality. Experience in proofreading, proof-listening, editorial review, or audio quality assurance is also highly relevant.

• Listen to full audio episodes carefully and systematically to identify errors, inconsistencies, and quality issues.

• Review audio for issues including, but not limited to, abrupt audio changes or jerks, glitches, distortion, incorrect or inconsistent pronunciation, narration issues, missing or repeated audio, unnatural pauses, and other production or listening-quality concerns.

• Evaluate Japanese-language narration and dialogue for pronunciation, wording, delivery, and other issues that may impact the listener experience.

• Identify the precise timestamp at which each issue occurs.

• Accurately document each identified issue, including the timestamp, type of issue, and a clear description of the problem.

• Log all identified errors into Pocket FM's CMS portal using the prescribed review and documentation process.

• Follow Pocket FM's audio quality guidelines and review standards consistently across episodes.

• Distinguish genuine audio or content-quality issues from acceptable variations based on the quality standards provided during training.

• Ensure reported errors are specific, actionable, and sufficiently detailed for the relevant production teams to investigate and resolve.

• Maintain a high level of attention to detail and consistency when reviewing long-form fictional audio content.

• Complete assigned audio reviews within expected timelines and communicate any issues that may affect delivery.

• Incorporate feedback from the quality team and continuously improve accuracy and consistency in identifying and categorizing errors.

• Maintain confidentiality of unreleased Pocket FM content and any information accessed as part of the freelance engagement.

• Professional experience in fictional audio entertainment is required, such as audio dramas, audiobooks, podcasts, voice-over production, or other narrative-driven audio content.

• Native-level or highly proficient Japanese language skills are required, with a strong understanding of Japanese pronunciation, dialogue, and natural spoken language.

• Professional experience in audio production, audio editing, sound production, voice production, or a related field is highly preferred.

• Experience with proofreading, proof-listening, editorial review, content quality assurance, or similar detail-oriented creative work is highly preferred.

• Strong ability to listen attentively to long-form audio and identify subtle inconsistencies or quality issues.

• Excellent attention to detail and ability to identify and document issues accurately.

• Ability to identify the precise timestamp of an issue and clearly describe what is wrong.

• Strong written communication skills, particularly the ability to write concise and actionable issue descriptions in Japanese.

• English-language proficiency is a strong plus, particularly for communicating with cross-functional teams and documenting or discussing issues with non-Japanese-speaking team members.

• Comfortable working with digital tools and web-based content management systems; experience with CMS platforms is a plus.

• Ability to follow established quality standards, review guidelines, and workflows consistently.

• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple episodes and review assignments independently.

• Reliable internet connection and access to a computer suitable for extended audio review work.