Senior Reporter, D.C. Politics

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 76,000 - 79,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

AU benefits package

Job summary

WAMU 88.5, a public media station owned by American University, seeks a Senior Reporter, DC Politics to lead coverage of DC mayor, council, and regional politics, with strong sources and a distinctive voice. You will write for on-air and online, mentor colleagues, and serve as back-up editor for the Politics Hour, while maintaining timely breaking news coverage and collaborative newsroom culture.

Candidates need a Bachelor's in journalism and at least 8 years of reporting experience; strong

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in journalism or related field required.
• At least 8 years of relevant reporting experience in radio/TV/online.
• Hands-on audio and digital editing skills required.

Responsibilities

• Report and write political stories for on-air and online.
• Serve as back-up editor for Audio, Digital, and Politics Hour.
• Produce web stories, write headlines, and do SEO work.

Skills

Storytelling

Editorial judgment

Mentorship

Audio editing

Social media audience engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree in journalism or related field

Tools

WAMU CMS

SEO

Job description

American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world. Learn more about American University.

Department:

Audio Editing

Time Type:

Full time

Job Type:

Regular

FLSA Status:

Non-Exempt

Work Modality:

Hybrid 01 (On Campus 3-4 Days/Week)

Union:

Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA)

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

Job Description:

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 narrative-driven, sound-rich breaking news, day-turn stories, explainers, two-ways, features and other enterprise work for audio and the web.

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 Senior 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.

The position requires curiosity, motivation, and a deep professional interest in local news. The Senior Reporter, DC Politics should have strong editorial judgment and the ability to write quickly, clearly, and with a distinctive and appealing style. In addition to beat coverage, all reporters will maintain regular breaking news shifts.

Essential Functions:

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.
   • Cover at least one breaking news shift per week.
   • Establish and maintain relationships with individuals who are credible sources of information.
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.
4. Engage Audiences
   • 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.

Competencies:

• Championing Customer Needs.
• Evaluating and Implementing Ideas.
• Developing Plans.
• Making Accurate Judgments and Decisions.
• Building and Supporting Teams.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

• Full-time.
• 35 hours per week.

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.
• 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.
• Hands-on audio and digital editing skills.
• Deep knowledge of the D.C. region, particularly local politics.

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. Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit options.

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.

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.