Harrisburg Reporter

Job Description

The Opportunity
 
Join 90.5 WESA, Pittsburgh’s NPR News Station, as the first-ever Harrisburg Reporter!
 
WESA seeks a reporter to cover the Pennsylvania Capitol, producing timely, thought-provoking news and enterprise coverage of state government, legislators and policymakers for audio/digital audiences in Pittsburgh and southwestern Pennsylvania. The ideal candidate for this newly created, Harrisburg-based position will focus equally on politics and policy — reporting on actions and decisions made in the state capital and their impact on the daily lives of people in the Pittsburgh region.
 
This is an incredible opportunity to bring much needed coverage of the Pennsylvania state capital to the residents of Western Pennsylvania! Radio experience is a plus, but not required.
What you’ll do:

• As the eyes and ears of Western Pennsylvania, you’ll file spot news stories as well as audio and digital enterprise features that analyze how state politics and policies impact the lives of people in Pittsburgh.
• Develop deep, reliable sources within state government, agencies and political campaigns, and tap them to break relevant stories first.
• Dig into the nitty-gritty of complex legislation, political campaigns and policy debates, and how to shape those developments into compelling stories on issues that matter to WESA’s listeners and readers: education, health care, voting and fair elections, development, transportation, and the environment.
• Ask tough questions of decision-makers or hold them accountable for their actions.
• Cover state elections in collaboration with journalists in the WESA newsroom and our statewide network of NPR member stations.
• Advance the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion goals of the newsroom.
• Use social media to break news, engage audiences and expand one’s source base.
• Work during off-hours and weekends, as needed.
• Make public appearances to enhance WESA’s engagement and brand, as needed.
• Participate in on-air and online fundraising, as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Self-motivated team player with a track record of producing daily news stories and features of interest to designated audiences.
• Sound and ethical judgment, with a scrupulous commitment to objectivity, balance and fairness.
• Ability to handle multiple projects in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment.
• Experience in audio journalism is a plus (but not necessary).
• Creativity and sound judgment in social media usage.
• Ability to travel throughout the region and work flexible hours when necessary.

 
Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism or related field, or equivalent experience/training.
• Minimum 3-5 years of reporting experience in a professional newsroom with multimedia journalism. This is not an entry-level position.
• Experience covering Pittsburgh/western Pennsylvania or state government is a plus.
• Must reside in the Harrisburg area.
• Ability and willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends, with some long days required at times.
• Honesty and integrity in all dealings.
• Enthusiasm for the mission of PCBC and its stations.

 
About Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting
Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting is a team full of passionate and fun people dedicated to our crafts as well as our communities.
 
We operate two local public radio stations and a local newsroom that serves the community across radio, digital and event platforms. 90.5 WESA is Pittsburgh’s NPR News Station and WESA News is an award-winning, dynamic and ambitious newsroom serving southwestern Pennsylvania over-the-air, online and through our daily newsletter, Inbox Edition. 91.3 WYEP is one of the most highly regarded non-commercial Triple-A music stations in the country and has been a cultural institution in Pittsburgh for almost 50 years. 
 
Our organization plays a vital role in building connections across southwestern Pennsylvania and strengthening our communities through exceptional journalism and cultural exploration and education . . . and we have a powerful broadcast network to help!
 
What’s it like working at PCBC?
At Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting we work hard, do great things, and have fun doing them.  Our culture is collegial, and manager’s doors (if they even have one!) are always open.  We recognize that people do their best when they can keep a good balance between their work and personal lives and embrace flexibility as an asset.
 
Our compensation packages are generous.  We provide competitive base salaries in a very affordable city. This is a yearlong, grant funded position. The minimum compensation for the Harrisburg Reporter position is $55,000, commensurate with experience and ability. Our full-time exempt employees also get access to an extensive benefits package, including a generous retirement plan (with a dollar-for-dollar match of up to 6% !), medical, dental and vision, three weeks of vacation, sick time, 10 company holidays and 8 weeks of paid new parent leave. We invest in the professional growth of our team, encouraging continuing education and participation in conferences and seminars.
We are committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive, equitable, and diverse environment and are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
 
Want to know more?
We believe a strong organization includes employees from a broad range of backgrounds, with different skills, experiences, and passions. And if you don’t meet every position qualification, but you have a story to tell, we’d still like to hear it. Please apply and tell us more about yourself. Visit our careers page to get more details and to apply.
 

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