Metro East Reporter

Job Description

St. Louis Public Radio (STLPR), the region’s National Public Radio (NPR) member station, seeks a general assignment reporter to cover the Metro East region of St. Louis.

STLPR is a non-profit media organization, delivering accuracy and understanding and serving hundreds of thousands of users monthly on-air, online and on-demand. As a station, our intent is to practice and support mission-driven journalism with staff members who are engaged and committed to equitable and inclusive service, both to our community and to each other. That means we seek to recognize and address bias in ourselves, in our work and in the systems we uphold. We welcome a broad range of perspectives, experiences and identities to our teams and our news coverage. And it means that we are always working to expand the reach of our service to those who have not felt welcomed into public media, either as an employee or a listener.

We’re looking for someone who is passionate about journalism and endlessly curious. The Metro East reporter covers a large geographic area that includes the Illinois counties of St. Clair, Madison and Monroe (among others). The coverage area also includes Scott Air Force Base, the city of East St. Louis, numerous police departments, elected officials, cultural events… basically, as many topics as you can find.
Strong candidates for this position are adept at developing sources and covering government meetings. They are just as comfortable crafting enterprise stories as they are in taking substantive looks into big issues — always remembering that people are at the center of every story. Radio experience is a plus, but not necessary. The ability to be a self-starter and work independently is crucial because the position is based in Illinois, over the river from our main station building.

We are a daily newsroom, which means the hours are not necessarily regular.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. The University will not sponsor applicants for this Position.

Shift

40 hours/wk

Salary

Pay commensurate with education and experience.
Pay Range: $49,000 - $65,000 annually
Grade: GGS-010
University Title: Media Production Director II

Minimum Qualifications

A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 3 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary

Preferred Qualifications

You will be a successful candidate for this role if you have:

Experience juggling daily stories with enterprise reporting while meeting deadlines;
A respect for public broadcasting and the diverse constituencies we serve;
Sound news judgment;
Solid writing skills and familiarity with AP style;
At least two years experience in a daily newsroom, or related experience;
Experience thinking creatively about how to tell stories through various media – digital, audio, social;
Ability to center people in their stories, especially people who aren’t always represented in news coverage.

Although not requirements, we are hoping to find candidates with any of the following:

Experience creating audio stories;
Familiarity with the Metro East;
A record of finding people, events or trends that are anything but the usual fare;
Ability to speak a language other than English;
Comfort with digital photography and social media;
Previous public radio experience.

Application Materials

A sample audio story and/or a published work are required for consideration. Please also include a resume and a cover letter outlining your qualifications and your ideas for how this job can best serve St. Louis area residents.

Inclusive Excellence Statement

As one of the most culturally and ethnically diverse campuses in Missouri, UMSL is committed to maintaining a climate where all students, faculty, staff and visitors can explore their interests, refine their talents and flourish. Inclusive excellence is embedded in our strategic plan which focuses on actions to recruit and retain diverse students and employees and promote activities that encourage civil and constructive discourse, reasoned thought and sustained dialogue in an environment of inclusion, respect and appreciation.

Benefit Eligibility

The University of Missouri - St. Louis offers benefit-eligible employees a wide variety of benefits including: health, dental and vision coverage effective on the first day of employment, retirement, paid time off, tuition assistance for employees and their dependents and employee and dependent life insurance. For more information about our benefits, please visit:

https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits

Diversity Commitment

Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy shall not be interpreted in such a manner as to violate the legal rights of religious organizations or the recruiting rights of military organizations associated with the Armed Forces or the Department of Homeland Security of the United States of America.

English Version

EEO is the Law Spanish Version

EEO is the Law Chinese Version