Breaking News Reporter

Job Description

Purpose
KUT News is looking for a journalist to cover breaking news on digital and radio platforms for our award-winning Austin newsroom. This reporter will take the lead on covering breaking and developing stories in the afternoon and evening hours — ranging from surprise announcements from local governments to severe weather and wildfires. The reporter will also have the opportunity to pursue high-interest topics about Central Texas, which could mean anything from covering the Austin City Limits Music Festival to reporting on the city’s tech industry. The ideal candidate will be an excellent writer, a curious and tenacious reporter, and someone who thrives in a fast-paced role.

Responsibilities

• Reports breaking news in a timely manner for radio, digital and social media platforms. Uses social media and short-form video to share breaking news with our online audience. Responds to breaking news scenes in the Austin area when necessary.
• Reports local news, including high-interest stories, feature stories and live interviews aired during daily programming on KUT News.
• Communicates effectively and multitasks. Coordinates with the KUT Multimedia Team when responding to breaking news and producing videos for our social media platforms.
• Pitches story and coverage ideas and researches topics. Ensures that all content produced meets KUT standards of accuracy, fairness and balance.
• Posts on KUT’s social media accounts and sends push alert notifications when needed.
• Participates in on-air fundraising during KUT membership drives and makes special public appearances as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications
Six months of professional experience with a news organization. Experience meeting strict deadlines and reporting under strict time limits. Experience covering daily news. Must be able to travel to areas in and around Austin and respond to breaking news on short notice. Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor's degree. At least three years of full-time broadcast reporting and/or production experience in radio or news programming. Experience with short-form video editing and storytelling, including appearing on-camera. Experience using Facebook, Instagram and/or Reddit in a professional capacity. Spanish-language skills. We welcome applications from reporters who do not have all of these qualifications but believe they would be a good fit for the position.
 
Salary Range
$50,000-$55,000

Working Conditions

• This position may work around standard office and audio equipment. Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation. Frequent standing and sitting and the use of manual dexterity. Lift and move standard office files and supplies. Various conditions for reporting in the field. Work hours may include occasional late evenings, weekends and some holidays during peak periods.

Work Shift

• Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. is typical for this position. There will be times when the work schedule will shift based on specific reporting needs, including occasional weeknights and weekends during special news events.

To Apply:
Submit your application here. Please mark "yes" on the application for required materials. Failure to attach all additional materials listed may affect candidates being considered for the position.

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Letter of interest
• 3 links to published news or audio stories written, produced, or edited by the candidate. If samples are not available, include a note explaining why

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded.  Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.
 

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