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Summary:

WAMU 88.5 is a public media station owned and operated by American University. WAMU is the source for local, regional and NPR news and original programs in Washington DC. Since 1961, WAMU has been amplifying voices and sharing stories from the many neighborhoods and communities in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.

Reporters in WAMU’s 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 position 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:

1.) 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 individuals who are credible sources of information.

• Determine a web and/or broadcast story's emphasis, length, and format and organize material accordingly.

• Report both at a desk and in the field; Collaborate with other reporters, as needed.

• Write multiple web stories and broadcast/newscast pieces per week, and regularly contribute features and enterprise work.

2.) 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.

3.) 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.

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.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

• Full-time.

• 35 hours per week.

• Occasional weekend, evening hours required.

Salary Range:

• $49.14 - $50.12 per hour.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent.

• 5 - 8 years of relevant experience.

Travel Required:

• Minimal travel required.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications:

•  Top-notch writing and reporting skills.

•  Journalistic agility, or the ability to shift comfortably between writing radio scripts, online news articles, explainers, short and longer pieces.

• Sharp interview skills.

• Strong journalistic ethics.

• 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. 

• Creativity, flexibility and resourcefulness.

• Must be an effective and imaginative storyteller with a keen sense of how to shape content to suit different audiences--both on air (via local newscasts, live two-ways, feature stories, etc.) and online (via WAMU.org and social media platforms).

• Must have a well-developed sense of how to create digital content that is compelling, sharable, visual, and impactful.

Other Duties:

• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Benefits

AU offers a competitive benefits package. .

Other Details

• Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.

• Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the university.

• Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

• American University is an employer.

Current American University Employees

American University current employees must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log intoWorkdayand select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings.

Contact Us

For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email.