Senior Reporter, D.C. Politics

Job Description

WAMU 88.5 is the leading public radio station in the greater Washington, D.C. area. We provide in-depth and enterprise reporting alongside essential daily news and information that aims to reflect and serve the diverse communities of our region. We believe in news as a public service and put our current and future audience at the center of our work.

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. 

Essential Functions:

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.

Job Requirements

• Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in journalism or related field.

• At least 8 years of relevant experiencen reporting for radio, TV, or online.
  
  
  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).

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