Part-Time News Writer/Editor - WBBM-AM

Audacy, Inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

Join a dynamic team at a leading audio content company as a News Writer/Editor. In this engaging role, you will oversee newsroom operations, create compelling news rundowns, and collaborate closely with anchors and reporters to deliver impactful stories. Your expertise in news judgment and familiarity with the Chicago news environment will be crucial as you select and edit stories that resonate with the audience. This part-time position offers a unique opportunity to shape local news coverage while working in a supportive and innovative environment. If you're passionate about journalism and eager to make a difference, this role is perfect for you.

Benefits

Health Care Coordinator

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Mental Health Services

Flexible Spending Accounts

401(k) Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Student Loan Payment Assistance

Legal Assistance

Qualifications

• Strong news judgment and familiarity with the Chicago news landscape are essential.
• Excellent grammar and social media skills are required for effective story development.

Responsibilities

• Oversee newsroom operations and create rundowns during newscasts.
• Review incoming news stories and select those of highest interest.

Skills

News Judgment

Broadcast Style Familiarity

Social Media Proficiency

Excellent Grammar

Editorial Judgment

Understanding of Legal Guidelines

Current Events Knowledge

Job description

Overview

Job Title: News Writer/Editor

Department: News

Reporting To: Brand Manager

Employment Type: Part-Time

Pay Transparency: $21.80/Hr. - $21.80/Hr.

Location(s): Chicago, IL

Work Arrangement: On-Site

The anticipated starting salary range for Illinois-based individuals expressing interest in this position is $21.80/Hr and $21.80/Hr.

Salary to be determined by the education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities and location of the applicant, as well as internal and external equity.

Audacy offers employees who are eligible for benefits with a comprehensive benefits package which includes: a health care coordinator, medical, dental, vision, mental health, telemedicine, flexible spending accounts, health savings account, disability, life insurance, critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, paid time off (sick, flex-time away/vacation days, personal, parental, volunteer), 401(k) retirement plan, student loan payment assistance program, legal assistance, life assistance program, identity theft protection, discounted home and auto insurance, and pet insurance.

Responsibilities

What You'll Do:

• The hired individual will oversee the newsroom during the course of a daypart and will be responsible for creating rundowns, selecting sound to air during newscasts, writing and approving copy, and coordinating with the digital content team.
• Writers work off an assigned lineup drawing information from resource copy, the audio file, and appropriate network sources. Since there is little opportunity for detailed review of copy before airing, writers must "get it right the first time" and be able to work effectively under pressure.
• Editor: must review incoming news stories from a variety of sources and choose the stories of highest interest and most relevance to the WBBM Newsradio audience.
• Assembles an hourly lineup of news for writers and anchors to prepare.
• Assigns audio to newscasts.
• Creatively pursues new ways of presenting stories so that they have the most impact on the audience.
• Brings stories of interest to the attention of the manager on duty for reporter follow-up.
• Writers and editors must work closely with anchors and reporters in preparing newscasts.
• In the absence of the Managing Editor and the Director of News and Programming, the editor is the de facto leader in the newsroom.
• Editor directs assistant producers to take in tape and feeds, and works with newsroom personnel to pursue breaking stories.
• Editor coordinates coverage, when required.
• While writers and editors work primarily with people inside the WBBM Newsroom, from time to time they must deal with people outside the newsroom. These relationships may include, but are not limited to, responding to listener inquiries, talking to police and fire officials about breaking news events, and discussing coverage plans with WBBM-TV and Audacy.

Qualifications

More About You:

• Qualified candidates must have excellent news judgment, familiarity with the Chicago news environment, and an ability to develop compelling local story angles.
• Must be familiar with broadcast style, with a strong ability to incorporate audio into written stories.
• Must have excellent grammar and good spelling and the ability to use social media to gather news and promote newsroom content.
• Need to have an understanding of legal guidelines that govern broadcast media and have excellent editorial judgment and a deep understanding of current events, national politics, and local news.
• Consistently maintains a friendly attitude and positive interaction when talking to listeners, the general public and with newsroom colleagues. Familiarity with local and corporate news policies, newsroom ethics and practices, and legal restrictions are a must.
• Applies those policies and procedures to news stories and all other daily activities.
• Alerts management to content that is questionable or that may be in violation of FCC, corporate or station policies and regulations.
• Suggests ideas to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of station operations.
• Makes suggestions for change that strengthens WBBM’s relationships with listeners, advertisers, and the Chicago community.
• Learns, understands, and follows company policy and procedure.

Important Notes:

Please be aware that Audacy willneverask you to send money at any point during the hiring process. Communication from legitimate Audacy representatives willonly come from email addresses ending in @audacy.com. If you receive any suspicious requests or communications, please verify their authenticity before responding.

About Us

Audacy is a scaled, leading multi-platform audio content and entertainment company differentiated by its exclusive, premium audio content. Audacy operates one of the country’s two scaled radio broadcasting groups with leading positions across the country’s largest markets, as well as one of the country’s largest podcast networks and the Audacy direct-to-consumer streaming platform. Audacy is a major event producer and a digital marketing solutions provider and is the unrivaled leader in local news and sports radio.

EEO

Audacy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Audacy affords equal employment opportunity to qualified individuals regardless of their race, color, religion or religious creed, sex/gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age (over 40), physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or other classification protected by applicable federal, state, or local law, and to comply with all applicable laws and regulations.