Senior Reporter, D.C. Politics

WAMU 88.5; Washington, Baltimore (District of Columbia, MD); On-site; USD 114,000 - 119,000; Full time

Job summary

WAMU 88.5, a public media station operated by American University in Washington, DC, is seeking a Senior Reporter, DC Politics. The role focuses on local politics, covering the mayor, DC Council, and regional institutions, with occasional coverage beyond the District.

The Senior Reporter will lead coverage initiatives, write for on-air and online platforms, and serve as primary backup for the Politics Hour host and Supervising Editor, while mentoring less experienced reporters and collaborating

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in journalism or related field.
• At least 8 years of relevant reporting experience in radio, TV, or online.
• Established reputation for covering politics in D.C. and the region.
• Top-notch writing and reporting skills.
• Ability to mentor less experienced staff.
• Ability to work across audio and digital platforms.

Responsibilities

• Report and write political stories for on-air and online.
• Lead coverage initiatives and mentor staff.
• Serve as back-up editor/host for Politics Hour.
• Produce web stories, write headlines, and do SEO.
• Engage with reader questions and participate in events.

Skills

Strong critical thinking

Mentorship

Storytelling

Political reporting

Education

Bachelor's degree in journalism

Job description

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.

The Senior Reporter, DC Politics must have a passion for and deep expertise in politics in D.C. and the surrounding region as well as an extensive network of political sources. The Senior Reporter must have strong critical thinking skills and the ability to analyze and contextualize often complex political narratives. The position will lead coverage initiatives and be the primary backup for the Politics Hour host, and Supervising Editor. The Senior Reporter will regularly share their knowledge with other staff members, particularly serving as a mentor and resource for less experienced reporters or those new to regional coverage.

This position focuses primarily on D.C. politics, playing a leading role in coverage of the mayor, D.C. Council, and other local institutions that shape life in this city. As part of the politics team, the Senior Reporter will also occasionally assist in coverage and projects about politics beyond the District.

1.) Report and Write Political-based Stories for On-Air and Online

• Evaluate leads, monitor major news developments, and contribute story ideas, or receive assignments from an editor.
• 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 3-5 broadcast/newscast and web pieces per week, and regularly contribute features and enterprise work.

2.) Serve as a Back-up Editor for Audio, Digital, and Politics Hour

• Serve as the primary back-up host and editor for our weekly program, the Politics Hour.
• When needed, help edit stories, or fill in for editors’ shifts.
• Lead coverage initiatives, particularly as they relate to regional politics.

3.) Produce Stories

• Produce web stories in WAMU’s CMS, including finding images, writing headlines (with the help of an editor), and doing SEO work.
• Write tweets and Facebook posts for stories, 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 with reader questions and feedback across platforms including social when necessary and as time allows.
• Participate in events, both internal and external, as a representative of the station and subject matter expert.

Salary Range:

• $55.21 - $57.00 per hour.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in journalism or related field.
• At least 8 years of relevant experience in reporting for radio, TV, or online.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications:

• Effective and imaginative storyteller with a keen sense of how to shape content to suit different audiences--both as a reporter and an editor in both of our primary mediums (audio and digital).
• Top-notch writing and reporting skills.
• Established reputation for covering politics in D.C. and the region.
• Journalistic agility, or the ability to shift comfortably between writing radio scripts, online news articles, explainers, short and longer pieces.

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 E-Verify employer.

This position is part of a collective bargaining unit represented by the Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA).

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties and 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 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.