Senior Reporter

WITF; Harrisburg, Northern (Dauphin County, KY); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

WITF in Harrisburg, PA seeks a Senior Reporter to produce high-impact journalism for Central Pennsylvania across digital, broadcast and audio platforms. The role blends original reporting with editing and newsroom leadership to shape coverage for a 19-county region.

The ideal candidate has strong news judgment, excellent writing and editing skills, and a track record turning complex issues into compelling stories for multiple platforms.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of professional journalism experience, preferably including experience reporting and editing.
• Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality daily, breaking and enterprise journalism.
• Strong editing skills, with the ability to provide constructive feedback and help reporters strengthen their work.
• Excellent news judgment and the ability to identify significant stories and determine appropriate coverage.
• Strong writing, reporting and interviewing skills across digital and broadcast formats.

Responsibilities

• Report and produce original daily, enterprise and breaking news stories for WITF’s digital, broadcast and audio platforms.
• Identify emerging issues and opportunities for impactful reporting across Central Pennsylvania.
• Edit stories, scripts and other content produced by reporters, providing thoughtful feedback on reporting, structure, writing, accuracy and audience service.
• Work with reporters and editors to develop story ideas, reporting plans and enterprise projects.
• Help shape daily newsroom coverage and make decisions about story priorities, timing and presentation.
• Translate complex topics into clear, engaging journalism that serves audiences across WITF’s 19-county region.
• Collaborate with newsroom leaders, editors, reporters, producers, digital staff and partner media organizations.
• Contribute to breaking news coverage and provide reporting support during major news events.
• Produce journalism across formats, including web stories, radio reports, interviews, live coverage and other digital and audio content.
• Serve as a guest on WITF, NPR and affiliate public affairs programming, as requested.
• Help mentor and support reporters and other newsroom staff through editing, collaboration and sharing of reporting and storytelling expertise.
• Attend major station events, regularly participate in on-air membership drives, and support grant writing/reporting as needed.
• Manage freelancers and interns, as needed.
• Other duties as assigned

Skills

News reporting

Editing

Story planning

Multiplatform

Interviewing

Collaboration

Mentoring

Job description

Description

WITF is seeking a Senior Reporter to produce high-impact journalism for Central Pennsylvania while helping strengthen the work of a collaborative, multiplatform newsroom. This role combines original reporting with editing and newsroom leadership, offering an experienced journalist the opportunity to shape coverage across broadcast, digital, audio and other platforms.

The Senior Reporter will report and edit a mix of daily, enterprise and breaking news, with an emphasis on stories that provide meaningful context and serve the information needs of WITF’s 19-county region. This position will work closely with newsroom editors and reporters to identify important stories, develop strong reporting plans and ensure WITF’s journalism meets the highest standards of accuracy, fairness and clarity.

The ideal candidate is an experienced journalist with strong news judgment, excellent writing and editing skills, and a demonstrated ability to turn complex issues into compelling stories for multiple platforms.

What You’ll Do

• Report and produce original daily, enterprise and breaking news stories for WITF’s digital, broadcast and audio platforms
• Identify emerging issues and opportunities for impactful reporting across Central Pennsylvania
• Edit stories, scripts and other content produced by reporters, providing thoughtful feedback on reporting, structure, writing, accuracy and audience service
• Work with reporters and editors to develop story ideas, reporting plans and enterprise projects
• Help shape daily newsroom coverage and make decisions about story priorities, timing and presentation
• Translate complex topics into clear, engaging journalism that serves audiences across WITF’s 19-county region
• Collaborate with newsroom leaders, editors, reporters, producers, digital staff and partner media organizations
• Contribute to breaking news coverage and provide reporting support during major news events
• Produce journalism across formats, including web stories, radio reports, interviews, live coverage and other digital and audio content
• Serve as a guest on WITF, NPR and affiliate public affairs programming, as requested
• Help mentor and support reporters and other newsroom staff through editing, collaboration and sharing of reporting and storytelling expertise
• Attend major station events, regularly participate in on-air membership drives, and support grant writing/reporting as needed
• Manage freelancers and interns, as needed
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of professional journalism experience, preferably including experience reporting and editing
• Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality daily, breaking and enterprise journalism
• Strong editing skills, with the ability to provide constructive feedback and help reporters strengthen their work
• Excellent news judgment and the ability to identify significant stories and determine appropriate coverage
• Strong writing, reporting and interviewing skills across digital and broadcast formats
• Ability to explain complex issues clearly and accurately to a broad audience
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple assignments and deadlines in a fast-paced, high-volume newsroom
• Experience working across digital, radio and/or other multimedia platforms
• Experience mentoring or collaborating with other journalists preferred
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Collaborative mindset and ability to work effectively with newsroom colleagues and partner organizations