Community Engagement Reporter

Job Title:   Community Engagement Reporter

Job ID:  38207

Location:  Tampa, FL

Full/Part Time:  Full-Time

Regular/Temporary:  Regular

Position Details

Dept Number/Name: 0-0662-000 / WUSF-FM

Salary Plan: Administrative

Job Code/Title: 4752 / News Reporter

Hiring Salary/Salary Range: $55,000 - $62,000

Position Number: 00017237

WUSF is looking for a curious and creative journalist who engages with people who have questions about how state government works. The community engagement reporter will create stories, social media, and broadcast from conversations they have with their fellow Floridians.

The heart of this project provides a place where Floridians from rural, suburban, and urban communities can ask questions, provide news tips, and be part of a statewide conversation on the radio, TV, online, and through social media. This reporter will produce journalism around the problems individuals and families face daily, and on bigger issues like transportation, healthcare, education, the economy, and the accountability of state officials.

This reporter should love talking to strangers and everyday citizens as much as they do interview experts. This is not a desk job. Interacting with people in the community and hearing what they have to say is key.

ORGANIZATIONAL SUMMARY:

WUSF is a leading source of news, information, and cultural enrichment for West Central Florida. We reach over one million people monthly through our NPR news station WUSF 89.7, Classical WSMR 89.1 & 103.9, and an extensive digital presence including live streaming, podcasts, newsletters, and social media. As a department of the University of South Florida, we have a dedicated team of 90 professionals and a budget of $11 million. We are deeply committed to our community, providing valuable internships to students and delivering content that informs, inspires, and connects. Our main studios are on the USF Tampa campus, with additional broadcast and production facilities on the USFSM and USFSP campuses.

POSITION SUMMARY:

WUSF is looking for a curious, creative journalist who engages with people with questions about how state government works. The Community Engagement Reporter will create digital, social media and broadcast stories from those conversations.  The project provides a place where rural, suburban and urban communities can ask questions, provide news tips and be part of a statewide conversation. This reporter will produce journalism around problems individuals face daily, and on bigger issues like health, education, the economy, and accountability of state officials.

This reporter should love talking to strangers and everyday citizens as much as they do interview experts. This is not a desk job. Interacting with people in the community and hearing what they have to say is key. The ideal candidate can pitch a solid story idea, react, and respond quickly. This visual storyteller will be producing video reels and stories that break down government decisions in ways that connect directly to Floridians.

Journalists in this role must have solid news judgment, a strong ethical foundation, and must maintain high editorial news standards.  Video editing skills are required.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Participate actively with the State Government team to develop and produce short-and-long-form journalism for Floridians. Produce regular, engaging short-form videos, audio, and digital stories that help explain state government and its impact on residents.

Engage with communities across the state, listening to questions residents have about the state government. This may include organizing and facilitating group discussions.

Appear on Florida public media programs and podcasts to help amplify the voices of Floridians and state government issues important to them.

Assist in breaking news that impacts the state of Florida.

Performs other duties as assigned.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:

MINIMUM:

This position requires a Bachelor's degree in Journalism or Communications and two years of experience related to journalism and/or communications; or a Master's degree in the fields listed above. Four years of vocational/technical training and experience may substitute for the Bachelor's degree.

FLSB1310 Equivalency:

4 years of directly relevant experience may be substituted for a bachelor's degree.
6 years of directly relevant experience may be substituted for a master's degree.

PREFERRED:

Experience in community engagement journalism and social media content production is a plus, as is radio, digital, and public media experience.

This person must have an active driver's license and be able to drive to and from assignments and be able to travel occasionally to locations across the state.

This is an essential personnel position. It will be based out of WUSF's Tampa studio.

Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a Level 1 criminal background check.

Job Opening Number: 38207

Posting Date:  11/12/2024

Posting End Date: 11/26/2024

How To Apply

For full description and to apply, please go to Access Careers@USF at https://www.usf.edu/work-at-usf/index.aspx  and enter 38207 under Search Jobs.