Rural Communities Reporter

Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR) is seeking an ambitious reporter to tell stories of the state's rural communities for a cross-platform collaboration with PBS Wisconsin. This position is based in Wausau, and will be focused on bridging information gaps and amplifying rural perspectives. That can mean everything from investigating gaps in access to health care and tracking the consequences of population decline to profiling innovative businesses and community-led solutions to rural challenges. This reporter will cover daily news including breaking regional news of statewide interest, and will also report in-depth features for radio and digital audiences. A gifted collaborator, this reporter will work together with a team that includes reporters and editors from both WPR and PBS Wisconsin. In addition to radio and text stories, this reporter will work with digital teams to create short-form vertical videos and other digitally tailored content for newsletters and social media channels.

WPR's on-air and online services each reach nearly half a million people every month. This reporter will serve those audiences with daily stories, feature reports and appearances on our statewide talk shows.

This position is Ongoing/Renewable.

This full-time, 40-hour-a-week position is headquartered in Wausau and reports to the Managing Editor of News. Because the news is dynamic, the position will include occasional evenings and weekend on-call shifts. This position is hybrid and can include in-person and work-from-home hours. The final schedule can be discussed in the offer stage, but fully remote candidates will not be accepted.

Remote work requires an approved flexible work arrangement (FWA). A FWA requires successful candidates to possess their own high-speed internet and phone to perform the work on a university provided computer. Per University policy, transportation between home and assigned work location is not payable/reimbursable and will be at the expense of the employee.

It is expected that employees will make individual arrangements for transportation adequate to meet position responsibilities and essential job functions. Information about UW-Madison Driver Authorization can be found at: http://businessservices.wisc.edu/managing-risk/driver-authorization-and-insurance/driver-authorization/

• Applies editorial judgment and maintains industry standards of journalistic ethics and excellence

• Contributes content including interviewing sources, writing stories/reports, and completing other necessary production tasks to create news/public affairs reports

• Collaborates with digital content teams on both long-term and short-term multimedia projects

• Stays abreast of developments in assigned areas, maintains contacts on continued stories to ensure follow-up, and researches topic areas to provide in-depth reports

UWMSN, WPM, WPR, News Network Newsroom

WPR's news department seeks to empower Wisconsin's communities through rigorous reporting that provides context, holds public officials accountable, and sheds clarifying light on complex topics. Our goal is to deliver news that keeps the audience abreast of the most significant news of the day, provides unique and insightful information and represents Wisconsin's diverse communities.

PBS Wisconsin and Wisconsin Public Radio are part of Wisconsin Public Media. The person in this position will be required to comply with the Wisconsin Public Media Code of Ethics: http://wpm.wisc.edu/policies/, in addition to the UW-Madison code of ethics.

#WPR

Expected salary range for this position is in the mid to high 50s. Actual pay will depend on experience and qualifications.

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund. For a summary of benefits, please see: http://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/fasl.pdf

• Excellent communication skills including newswriting.
• Demonstrated history of enterprising reporting.
• Demonstrated knowledge of newsgathering and reporting techniques.
• Ability to work in both independent and collaborative settings.
  

• Experience writing and producing radio stories.
• Knowledge and understanding of Wisconsin and its rural communities.
• Experience working in public media.
  

A Bachelor's degree and at least 2 years of professional reporting experience is preferred OR 5 years of professional reporting experience.

Click the "Apply" button to start the application process. Please note, there is only one attachment field. You must upload all of your documents in the attachment field.

The following must be received for your application to be complete:
1) Resume
2) A cover letter describing how your experience relates to the listed required and preferred job qualifications.
3) A single document with three samples or links to three samples of daily news stories produced for broadcast and/or web. Samples should not have shared bylines. If stories were produced in both radio and text/digital versions, include links to both.

Since this position is responsible for writing compelling news stories, close attention to detail is required. The writing sample material will be assessed for clear and engaging news writing, demonstration of sourcing and reporting skill as well as spelling and grammar.

Failure to follow these application instructions will result in applications receiving less competitive
consideration.

We are eager to learn more about how your experience may align with this position. Please submit a cover letter referring to your related work experience and a resume detailing your educational and professional background. Please keep in mind your cover letter and/or resume should address your experience and how it relates to the position qualifications. The application reviews will be relying on written application materials to determine who may advance to the first round of interviews.

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.

Finalists will be asked to provide a list of at least three professional references with titles, emails, and phone numbers (including at least one supervisory reference). Note that references will not be contacted without your prior knowledge.

Mariah Stuckey, mariah.stuckey@wisc.edu, (608) 890-2272

Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.

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The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.

To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.

The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.