Newscaster and Reporter

WFYI Indianapolis•Indianapolis, IN

7d•Onsite

About The Position

WFYI Public Media seeks a Newscaster and Reporter to produce accurate, fair, independent, and accessible journalism about issues shaping communities across Central Indiana and statewide. The role contributes to public understanding and informed civic participation through daily, enterprise, and investigative reporting centered on people and relevant to audience needs. The position gathers community input and curates, writes, edits, and delivers local newscasts for national NPR news magazines and multiple digital platforms. Coverage includes daily high-interest and high-impact stories, stories reflecting local life, practical news, and state, regional, and national coverage. The work spans digital articles, audio features, web and newscast stories, and video for social and television platforms. The position works in person at WFYI’s Indianapolis studios each day, starting at 9 a.m. Monday through Friday, with field reporting required in the mornings. The assigned beat may change based on organizational needs, and reporters may be reassigned to different beats without a change in classification or position. Occasional travel and work outside regular business hours, including evenings, weekends, or holidays, may be required. A valid driver’s license, satisfactory motor vehicle record, and eligibility under WFYI’s insurance requirements to drive WFYI vehicles may be required. WFYI is a nonprofit organization that has provided journalism, inspiring stories, and lifelong learning to Central Indiana for more than 50 years. Its vision is an informed, inspired, and inclusive Indiana. Team members are expected to demonstrate an ongoing commitment to WFYI’s mission and to public media, journalism, education, and community engagement.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, or a closely related field; equivalent relevant experience may substitute for some or all of the formal education requirement.
At least two years of reporting or other relevant journalism experience.
Experience applying AP Style in journalism or newsroom writing.
Sound news judgment covering breaking stories while managing longer-term projects, including in-depth continuing coverage or investigations.
Ability to translate complex policies, financial data, or other technical information into clear, accessible reporting.
Ability to develop sources, build a reporting specialization, and identify meaningful story ideas.
Ability to work collaboratively in a newsroom or similar editorial environment while managing assignments with a high level of personal motivation.
Experience collaborating with editors, producers, reporters, partner media organizations, and other public media collaborators.
Experience incorporating data and public records into reporting.
Ability to use a range of sources, contacts, data, public records, audience insights, and community perspectives to inform reporting and strengthen audience connection.
Working knowledge of office, communication, and digital production tools sufficient to support reporting, collaboration, research, writing, editing, and content production.
Ability to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and in writing.
Ability to lift, kneel, carry, and position equipment or other items weighing up to 25 pounds occasionally.
Ability to operate standard office equipment, including computers, phones, printers, and copiers.
Ability to remain stationary for extended periods and move throughout the workday as needed.

Nice To Haves

Experience with audio newscast production.
Experience producing journalism for digital, audio, broadcast, social media, video, photography, or other public media platforms.
Experience using audience insights and community perspectives to inform reporting and strengthen audience connection.
Experience building collaborative relationships with partner organizations.
Experience with digital reporting, content management, audio editing, video, photography, data reporting, and social media production tools.

Responsibilities

Identify and pitch stories, working with editorial leadership to develop original stories featuring people with lived experience.
Write clearly and concisely to explain complex topics and their significance.
Report, write, and present breaking news, features, enterprise, and investigative stories as assigned.
Adapt reporting focus, source development, and story planning when beats or coverage priorities change.
Build and maintain a large network of sources.
Conduct thorough research and newsgathering, including capturing audio, video, photos, and supporting materials.
Collaborate with the digital team to produce content tailored for broadcast, digital, and social media platforms.
Meet deadlines and follow WFYI’s editorial standards for accuracy, fairness, independence, clarity, and ethical journalism.
Make regular appearances across media platforms, including broadcasts, social media, podcasts, and community events.
Work with WFYI staff to discover stories and angles that report for communities, not on communities.
Develop reporting for local, statewide, regional, and national public media audiences.
Participate in editorial meetings and planning sessions, collaborating with editors and content teams on story direction, reporting, and journalistic standards.
Contribute to planning and executing special coverage, including legislative sessions, elections, breaking news, and public forums.
Collaborate with editors, producers, reporters, and colleagues to adapt reporting for multiple platforms and support coordinated coverage.
Perform other duties as assigned and provide backup support across functions or positions as needed.