WCBU Reporter Job at Illinois State University in Brooklyn

Title: WCBU Reporter
Division Name: Academic Affairs
Department: Radio Station WGLT
Job Summary This position is responsible for general-assignment reporting, writing, editing, hosting, and producing news and other programming and content for multiple WCBU delivery platforms, including on-air and digital, as assigned by supervisor(s). This position is also responsible for supervising 1-2 interns from Bradley University where WCBU is based.
Additional Information WCBU is Peoria Public Radio and part of the NPR Network, serving a mix of users who listen, read and watch. WCBU is based at Bradley University in Peoria and is operated by WGLT through an agreement with Illinois State University. WCBU is a member of the Institute for Nonprofit News.
University Benefit Highlights:
Insurance benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life
Retirement and supplemental retirement planning options
Tuition waiver benefits available to staff as well as their eligible dependents
Paid holiday / administrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks
Paid benefit time
Additional University Benefit information, including information regarding eligibility to participate in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program, can be reviewed here: https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/
Salary Rate / Pay Rate $40,190 - $52,221 annual
Required Qualifications 1. Any one or any combination totaling three (3) years (36 months) of the following types of preparation:
A. progressively more responsible work experience in the production and presentation of radio or television programs, social media, and/or print or online journalism
B. vocational training in radio and/or television production, journalism, social media, news or feature writing and/or announcing or closely related fields
C. college course work in radio/television, journalism, social media, news or feature writing or closely related fields
- 60 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months)
- 75 semester hours equals one (1) year and six (6) months (18 months)
- 90-semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months)
- 120 semester hours or a Bachelor’s degree equals three (3) years (36 months)
2. One (1) year (12 months) of work experience in the production and presentation of radio or television programs, social media, and/or print or online journalism in addition to the preparation required in #1 above.
3. One (1) year (12 months) of work experience comparable to that performed at the Media Writer/Producer/Announcer I level of this series or in other positions of comparable responsibility.
Preferred Qualifications 1. Bachelor's degree in mass communications, journalism, media management, or similar.
2. Experience as public broadcasting host, reporter or producer.
3. Knowledge of Central Illinois and statewide news issues and personalities.
4. Ability to gather information through interviews and then write clear and concise stories to engage an audience.
5. Familiarity with a wide range of current information in many disciplines touching on the public and cultural life of the nation and the local community.
6. Ability to provide summaries and overviews of issues and events as they develop in public discourse.
7. Ability to quickly absorb information and locate and synthesize disparate sources of data.
8. Familiarity with data processing skills, social media, media consumption, the internet, public records and documents, governmental bodies, and the community that the radio station serves.
9. Knowledge of generally accepted journalistic standards of objectivity, fairness, and balance when editing own work and the work of others, as well as working knowledge of The Associated Press Stylebook.
10. Ability to balance competing priorities and work on tight daily deadlines and longer term projects with a high degree of accuracy.
11. Ability to comfortably interact with the general public.
12. Excellent written and oral communication skills.
13. Understanding of best practices for using social media platforms to disseminate and source news stories.
Work Hours Core work hours are 8:30am - 4:30pm, Monday through Friday
Functional Expectations Must be able to complete the following with or without a reasonable accommodation:
1. Effectively communicate on a daily basis.
2. Remain at a workstation for extended periods
3. Distinguish colors on a monitor
4. Move about in various locations across campus as needed to complete day-to-day work.
Proposed Starting Date November 2026
Required Applicant Documents Resume
Optional Applicant Documents Transcripts - See Special Instructions section for additional options
Certification of Retirement Annuity
Contact Information for Applicants Breanna Crippen
Human Resources
309-438-8315
bcplese@ilstu.edu
Important Information for Applicants This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.
Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.
If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311.

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