JOB SUMMARY
WPR is seeking an ambitious reporter to cover K-12 and early education in the state, from local school boards to broader trends. This could include reporting on school board politics, education innovations and how state policies affect schools and families. This reporter will also be part of a team that covers breaking news and other high-audience-interest stories as needed. The position is based in Milwaukee.
WPR's audience is statewide, with on-air and online services that reach more than 400,000 people every month. This reporter will serve those audiences with daily stories, feature reports and appearances on our statewide talk shows.
WPR's news department seeks to empower Wisconsin's communities through rigorous reporting that provides context, holds public officials accountable, and sheds clarifying light on complex topics. Our goal is to deliver news that keeps the audience abreast of the most significant news of the day, provides unique and insightful information and represents Wisconsin's diverse communities. We value diversity and inclusiveness. We want to reflect communities across Wisconsin in our coverage and staffing and encourage journalists from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds to apply. This position reports to the Assistant News Director.
EDUCATION
Preferred
Bachelor's Degree
Particularly in journalism, communications, or related field.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
-Full-time professional daily news experience.
-Excellent writing and communication skills.
-Demonstrated ability to produce enterprising reporting.
-Proven ability to work in both independent and collaborative settings.
-Demonstrated organizational skills, ability to work within tight deadlines and manage competing responsibilities.
-Demonstrated knowledge of journalism ethics, newsgathering and reporting techniques.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
-Previous experience reporting on education or state and local government.
-Previous experience in public media.
-Experience writing and producing radio stories.
-Knowledge of Wisconsin and its communities.
-Familiarity with requesting and reporting on public records.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Researches, prepares, and reports stories that are balanced, issue-oriented, and analytical for use in news and/or public affairs programs. Employs editorial judgement to select sources, conducts and records interviews, writes scripts, and may edit audio and/or video during the production of reporting assignments.
- 60% Contributes content including interviewing sources, writing stories/reports, and completing other necessary production tasks to create news/public affairs reports
- 10% Applies editorial judgment and maintains industry standards of journalistic ethics and excellence
- 20% Stays abreast of developments in assigned areas, maintains contacts on continued stories to ensure follow-up, and researches topic areas to provide in-depth reports
- 10% Collaborates with digital content teams on both long-term and short-term multimedia projects
SALARY
Minimum $53,000 ANNUAL (12 months)
Actual pay will depend on experience and qualifications.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Expected salary range for this position is in the mid-50s to low 60s. Actual pay will depend on experience and qualifications.
The person in this position will be required to comply with the Ethical Guidelines for Editorial Staff of Wisconsin Public Radio and Television located here: https://www.wpr.org/wpr-ethical-guidelines, in addition to the UW-Madison code of ethics.
The University of Wisconsin is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.
Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment..
HOW TO APPLY
Apply online at https://jobs.hr.wisc.edu/en-us/job/516703/education-reporter by February 1, 2023.
The following must be received for your application to be complete: 1) Resume; 2) A cover letter describing how your experience relates to the listed required and preferred job qualifications. 3) 3 samples of broadcast and/or print stories, features preferred 4) A list of at least three professional references with titles, emails, and phone numbers (include at least one supervisory reference). Note that references will not be contacted without your prior knowledge.
Questions? Contact: Kate Crawford, 821 University Avenue, Madison, WI, 53706; 608-262-5221; hr@wpm.wisc.edu.