American University
Reporter, Montgomery & Prince George's Counties MD (Reporter III)
American University, Washington, District of Columbia, us, 20022
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:
Editor 2
Time Type:Full time
Work Modality:
Hybrid 02 (On Campus 2 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/Objective:
WAMU 88.5, the public radio station for NPR news and information in the greater Washington D.C. area, has been serving our community since 1961. Licensed to American University, we are a member-supported and professionally staffed station, reaching nearly 1 million listeners on-air, online, and on-demand. Our programming reflects the unique environment of the D.C. metro area, with a deep commitment to producing regular and special content tailored to our audience.
At WAMU, our reporters are the heartbeat of our regional news initiatives, delivering impactful stories across broadcast and digital platforms. Collaborating closely with newsroom editors and producers, our reporters develop sources, shape their beats, and cover a wide range of stories. From breaking news and day-turn pieces to in-depth explainers, two-ways, features, and enterprise work, they bring compelling content to both audio and web audiences.
This role is responsible for the two largest counties in Maryland (Montgomery and Prince George's)-both within our coverage area-each c different, but similar in that they play a pivotal role in local politics, education, and community news. The Reporter will keep a close watch on state politics, especially how developments in Annapolis impact the D.C. region. Coverage will extend to other Maryland counties as needed, making prioritization skills and a keen eye for engaging stories essential. We seek a reporter who can develop audio stories that captivate and resonate with the residents of Maryland's suburbs, bringing their stories to life with relevance and flair.
Essential Functions:
*Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Report and develop news stories for on-air and online (80%)
Own the D.C. Maryland suburbs. Evaluate leads, monitor major news developments, and contribute story ideas, or receive assignments from an editor.Work with editors to decide a broadcast and web story's emphasis, length, and format and organize material accordingly.Report both from your desk and out in the field; Collaborate with other reporters, as needed.Produce multiple broadcast/newscast/digital pieces per week, and regularly contribute features and enterprise work.Cover breaking news shifts as needed. Establish and maintain relationships with individuals who are credible sources of information.Produce stories (15%)
Produce audio, utilizing field sound to create a sense of place and weaving appropriate sound bites together to paint a holistic portraitProduce web stories in WordPress, including finding images, writing headlines (with the help of an editor), and doing SEO work.Write social media posts for stories, as needed.Engage audiences (5%)
Engage audience questions and feedback on social media when necessary and as time allows.Participate in WAMU events, both internal and external, as a representative of the station and subject matter expert.Competencies:
Championing Customer NeedsEvaluating and Implementing IdeasDeveloping PlansMaking Accurate Judgments and DecisionsBuilding and Supporting TeamsAcquiring and Analyzing InformationPosition Type/Expected Hours of Work:
Full Time35 hours/weekOccasional weekend, evening hours required.Salary Range:
$48.41 - $49.00/hourRequired Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree or equivalent5-8 years of relevant experienceTravel Required:
Some regional, but generally across Montgomery/Prince George's counties.Additional Eligibility Qualifications:
Top-notch writing and reporting skills.Sharp interview skills.Journalistic agility, or the ability to shift comfortably between writing radio scripts, online news articles, explainers, short and longer pieces.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 audiencesboth 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.Work Authorization/Security Clearance (if applicable)
This position is considered essential staff.
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 including a 200% matching retirement plan, tuition benefits for full-time staff and their families, several leadership development certificates, and has been recognized by the American Heart Association as a fit-friendly worksite. 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.
Current American University Employees
American University current employees must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings.
Contact Us
For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email theworkline@american.edu.
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.
Department:
Editor 2
Time Type:Full time
Work Modality:
Hybrid 02 (On Campus 2 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/Objective:
WAMU 88.5, the public radio station for NPR news and information in the greater Washington D.C. area, has been serving our community since 1961. Licensed to American University, we are a member-supported and professionally staffed station, reaching nearly 1 million listeners on-air, online, and on-demand. Our programming reflects the unique environment of the D.C. metro area, with a deep commitment to producing regular and special content tailored to our audience.
At WAMU, our reporters are the heartbeat of our regional news initiatives, delivering impactful stories across broadcast and digital platforms. Collaborating closely with newsroom editors and producers, our reporters develop sources, shape their beats, and cover a wide range of stories. From breaking news and day-turn pieces to in-depth explainers, two-ways, features, and enterprise work, they bring compelling content to both audio and web audiences.
This role is responsible for the two largest counties in Maryland (Montgomery and Prince George's)-both within our coverage area-each c different, but similar in that they play a pivotal role in local politics, education, and community news. The Reporter will keep a close watch on state politics, especially how developments in Annapolis impact the D.C. region. Coverage will extend to other Maryland counties as needed, making prioritization skills and a keen eye for engaging stories essential. We seek a reporter who can develop audio stories that captivate and resonate with the residents of Maryland's suburbs, bringing their stories to life with relevance and flair.
Essential Functions:
*Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Report and develop news stories for on-air and online (80%)
Own the D.C. Maryland suburbs. Evaluate leads, monitor major news developments, and contribute story ideas, or receive assignments from an editor.Work with editors to decide a broadcast and web story's emphasis, length, and format and organize material accordingly.Report both from your desk and out in the field; Collaborate with other reporters, as needed.Produce multiple broadcast/newscast/digital pieces per week, and regularly contribute features and enterprise work.Cover breaking news shifts as needed. Establish and maintain relationships with individuals who are credible sources of information.Produce stories (15%)
Produce audio, utilizing field sound to create a sense of place and weaving appropriate sound bites together to paint a holistic portraitProduce web stories in WordPress, including finding images, writing headlines (with the help of an editor), and doing SEO work.Write social media posts for stories, as needed.Engage audiences (5%)
Engage audience questions and feedback on social media when necessary and as time allows.Participate in WAMU events, both internal and external, as a representative of the station and subject matter expert.Competencies:
Championing Customer NeedsEvaluating and Implementing IdeasDeveloping PlansMaking Accurate Judgments and DecisionsBuilding and Supporting TeamsAcquiring and Analyzing InformationPosition Type/Expected Hours of Work:
Full Time35 hours/weekOccasional weekend, evening hours required.Salary Range:
$48.41 - $49.00/hourRequired Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree or equivalent5-8 years of relevant experienceTravel Required:
Some regional, but generally across Montgomery/Prince George's counties.Additional Eligibility Qualifications:
Top-notch writing and reporting skills.Sharp interview skills.Journalistic agility, or the ability to shift comfortably between writing radio scripts, online news articles, explainers, short and longer pieces.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 audiencesboth 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.Work Authorization/Security Clearance (if applicable)
This position is considered essential staff.
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 including a 200% matching retirement plan, tuition benefits for full-time staff and their families, several leadership development certificates, and has been recognized by the American Heart Association as a fit-friendly worksite. 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.
Current American University Employees
American University current employees must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings.
Contact Us
For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email theworkline@american.edu.
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.