Reporter, Northern Virginia (Reporter III)

Department: Audio Editing; Time Type: Full time; Job Type: Regular; FLSA Status: Non-Exempt; Work Modality: Hybrid 01 (On Campus 3‑4 Days/Week); Union: Screen Actors Guild—American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG‑AFTRA).
Summary WAMU 88.5 is a public media station owned and operated by American University. It is the source for local, regional and NPR news and original programs in Washington, DC. Since 1961, WAMU has amplified voices and shared stories from the many neighborhoods and communities in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. Reporters in the newsroom help carry out our regional news initiatives across broadcast and digital platforms. In consultation with newsroom editors, reporters develop sources and deepen and shape coverage for their assigned beats. Coverage will include breaking news, day‑turn stories, explainers, two‑ways, features and other enterprise work for audio, web and other platforms. The role requires curiosity, motivation, and a deep professional interest in local news. The Reporter should have strong editorial judgment and the ability to write quickly, clearly, and with a distinctive and appealing style. This position focuses primarily on jurisdictions in Northern Virginia, playing a leading role in coverage of these communities. The reporter also has an eye on state politics, human interest, and other news, but focuses any coverage of Richmond on the ways it specifically intersects with our region. The role requires a Reporter who is particularly adept at prioritization and has a keen eye for the stories that will engage and appeal to Northern Virginians.
Essential Functions Report and Write News Stories Online and On Air – Evaluate leads, monitor major news developments, and contribute story ideas or receive assignments from an editor. Establish and maintain relationships with credible sources. Determine a web and/or broadcast story’s emphasis, length, and format and organize material accordingly. Report at a desk and in the field; collaborate with other reporters, as needed. Write multiple web stories and broadcast
ewscast pieces per week, and regularly contribute features and enterprise work.
Produce Stories – Produce web stories in WordPress, including finding images, writing headlines (with the help of an editor), and doing SEO work. Write posts for social media and promotion as needed. Produce audio, utilizing field sound to create a sense of place and weaving appropriate sound bites together to paint a holistic portrait.
Engage Audiences – Engage with reader questions and feedback on social media, when necessary and as time allows. Participate in events, both internal and external, as a representative of the station and subject matter expert.
Qualifications Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
5‑8 years of relevant experience.
Top‑notch writing and reporting skills, including the ability to shift between radio scripts, online news articles, explainers, and short and longer pieces.
Sharp interview skills, strong journalistic ethics, and experience building audience connections using social media and mining platforms for story ideas, angles, and sources.
Willingness to try new storytelling methods and adapt to changing platforms and audience needs.
Ability to work collaboratively with others.
Commitment to building and fostering an inclusive, encouraging, and diverse workplace.
Competencies Acquiring and Analyzing Information.
Acting Ethically and with Integrity.
Displaying Creativity.
Prioritizing and Organizing.
Serving Customers.
Supporting a Diverse and Inclusive Community.
Supporting Coworkers.
Employment Details Full-time, 35 hours per week. Occasional weekend and evening hours are required. Work Modality: Hybrid – 01 (On Campus 3‑4 Days/Week). Minimal travel required. Salary Range: $49.14—$50.12 per hour.
Benefits Competitive benefits package available to all eligible employees. For detailed benefits information please refer to the American University benefits portal.
Equal Opportunity Employer American University is an E‑Verify employer. Current American University employees must apply through their Workday account. The university is an equal‑opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information, or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively “Protected Bases”) in its programs and activities.

#J-18808-Ljbffr