Reporter, Billy Penn

WHYY Inc•Philadelphia, PA

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

Billy Penn is looking for an experienced, innovative professional to work as a General Assignment Reporter and contribute to the popular email newsletter. This reporter will help maintain the site’s tone, tenor and content by creating original work that can’t be found elsewhere, and keep tabs on what Philadelphia is talking about online and in real life. The ideal candidate can pitch story ideas one month ahead as well as produce an informed, focused news article on short notice and move between story topics as the news cycle commands. The General Assignment Reporter is a self-starter and is a capable reporter who has beat reporting experience. They bring a sense of urgency to their work with regard to the distribution of their stories across digital platforms to meet audience interests. This reporter has a comprehension for Billy Penn’s voice and can report stories of general interest to the audience. Top candidates will be able to report and write compelling original stories that aren’t being covered elsewhere; find stories in the people and things that Philadelphians encounter every day; report on a range of communities; and know when and how to evoke the Billy Penn voice in reporting. This job isn’t about writing down what a politician said at a press conference — unless it’s truly very Philly. The job is about explaining the city’s latest health directives in clear language, finding nuggets on social media and chasing down sources for the scoop, visualizing data about disparities and presenting it with solutions, exposing shenanigans and shining a spotlight on people who help make Philadelphia great. This reporter can write clean news copy and write quickly to jump on story possibilities that peak audience interest. In addition, the reporter is a self-starter and works well with fellow editorial team members. They are able to take actionable feedback and bring into their next stories. Billy Penn has an engaged audience and membership. The editorial team prides itself on serving its members and Philadelphians with invigorating news content. This reporter may be assigned to occasionally report stories for the WHYY newsroom to contribute to the newsroom’s overall coverage plans as part of the continuous news cycle.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications or related fields of study. A candidate without an undergraduate degree may be considered with a proven track record of beat news reporting.
Minimum two years of journalism experience preferred.
Must have experience as a reporter and with the practice of newsgathering methods.
Computer literacy; knowledge of online writing and editing standards; social media literacy; understanding of data visualization.
Proficiency in a web-production platform or content management system like WordPress is needed.
Ability to use or learn audio editing software like Pro Tools, Hindenburg or Adobe Audition is required.
The candidate understands both the technology of web and radio production and must be able to work with technical staff to further develop the website, identify best practices, and problem solve.
Experience working with Photoshop, Google Docs, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook is required.

Nice To Haves

Multimedia production and/or photography skills are a plus.

Responsibilities

File 2-3 or more stories each week depending on the news cycle
Conduct interviews, perform audio editing, voice work, and production of story versions that publish on both radio and web/digital platforms
Pitch story ideas to your assigned editor; receive and incorporate editor feedback
Pitch ideas at Billy Penn news meetings and WHYY News editorial meetings and brainstorm with other team members
Keep track of pitching and executing multiple reporting projects per editorial approval
Take photos for original stories as needed and shoot/edit videos as assigned if applicable
Identify or obtain artwork to go with your stories, including data visualizations
In addition to producing written articles, produce radio stories for WHYY-FM and other emerging platforms
Cultivate contacts with sources and newsmakers connected to Philadelphia and from the range of communities that makeup the City of Brotherly Love
Help write and build Billy Penn email newsletters as needed
Curate news and story postings on Billy Penn’s social media accounts as assigned
Contribute ideas to and participate in Billy Penn events and panel discussions
Work closely with other Billy Penn reporters, share information and story ideas, and collaborate with the WHYY News staff at-large as applicable
Possess knowledge of Associated Press style
Attend WHYY News meetings and departmental meetings as applicable; contribute to or collaborate with WHYY News editorial news coverage plans as assigned
Available to work nights and weekends as needed per the news cycle and scheduled events, as well as assigned holidays per the overall newsroom scheduling processes
Maintain a regular and predictable attendance; follow the company’s hybrid work policy
Perform other duties as assigned