Job Listings & Resources

Title : Journalist/Blogger

Organization: WFIU Public Radio

Description: WFIU Radio seeks a Multi-media journalist to join its News Bureau team, consisting of award-winning radio, television, and Internet news professionals. The chosen candidate will lead a news web site focused on state government and its impact on local communities across Indiana.  The journalist leading the site will be charged with building an online following around coverage of how decisions by state government affect citizens, particularly around the issue of education.  The ideal candidate will become the area's most authoritative voice on state government, which a strong local profile and a national reach through NPR and the wider public broadcasting system.  Candidates must have policy reporting expertise and a solid journalistic track record.  This position requires a demonstrated ability to cultivate resources, identify important trends and collect and verify information through a variety of online and offline channels.  Candidates should be experienced with blogging and social media applications and eager to try new multi-platform tools to tell stories.  The strongest candidates also will demonstrate digital news acumen, understand basic search engine optimization, how to write web headlines, how to use web formats and how to build a social media brand. Minimum three years journalism or online experience required.

This is a 24 month, grant-based position with a likelihood of continuation.

Supervision Received: Works under direct supervision of the WFIU/WTIU News Bureau Chief and an NPR editorial coordinator.

Duties & Responsibilities:

  • Produces several posts daily for a new blog built around issues related to state government policy, funding, and regulation.
  • Curates and aggregates related materials from elsewhere online in an informal, conversational style that also comports with WFIUs on-air voice.
  • Solicits and edits contributions from other at WFIUs and elsewhere including show hosts, correspondents, producers, editors, subject experts, and policy leaders.
  • Collaborates with stations and NPR in DC on team coverage.
  • Consistently and enthusiastically engages with readers and the WFIU community in comment threads and other social media community venues.
  • Provides ongoing insight and counsel to other WFIU shows and departments about their online and digital projects and ambitions.
  • Maintains daily liaison with editors about developing stories, coordinating the blog with the rest of the site.
  • Ensures that all materials produced for the site meet WFIU program standards and practices, including standards of accuracy, fairness, objectivity and balance.
  • Writes and produces broadcast spots as warranted based on blog coverage
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:  Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Ability Required:

  • At least three years journalistic experience.
  • At least two years experience covering government and political news.
  • Excellence in analysis and interpretation
  • Demonstrated excellence in writing for the Web and blogs
  • Demonstrated excellence in news judgment
  • Demonstrated expertise in all aspects of online journalism- writing, editing, photography, Web publishing tools, and social media.
  • Demonstrated familiarity with WFIU on-air and online programming.
  • Ability to aggressively set a coverage and style agenda.
  • Ability to solicit and edit work from other contributors to the blog.
  • Ability to handle multiple and complex projects simultaneously under stringent time-frames and changing priorities/conditions.
  • Demonstrated understanding of social media concepts- including the ability to use social media to develop sources and build networks of influentials- and expertise in blogging best practices.
  • Ability to work quickly and efficiently under deadline pressure, including the ability to cover breaking news stories.
  • Ability and willingness to work varied shifts.
  • Proven ability to work well with others, demonstrating at all times respect for the diverse constituencies at WFIU and within the public broadcasting system.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Ability Preferred But Not Required:

  • Experience covering a variety of beats.
  • Broadcast experience
  • Note: Include a cover letter indicating how your experience fits this job description, resume, and names and contact information for three references. Applicants considered for interview should be prepared to provide audition materials (CD or MP3 files) upon request.

How to Apply: Application review begins immediately and will end when a candidate is identified. To apply, visit www.jobs.indiana.edu. Listing #3531.

Contact : 812-855-1357

Deadline : Open until filled. Application review begins immediately.

AA/EEO: Indiana University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.