Senior Reporter, D.C. Politics

American University•Washington, DC

3d•$55 - $57•Hybrid

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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

Responsibilities

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.
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.
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 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.