State Government Reporter

Job Title:  State Government Reporter

Job ID:  38208

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 - $65,000

Position Number: 00017186

The accountability reporter will be part of a project designed to explain state government and engage Florida residents in the civic process. This self-starting reporter based in the capital city of Tallahassee will produce journalism around the problems individuals and families face on a daily basis, and on bigger issues like transportation, healthcare, education, the economy, and the accountability of state officials.

The ideal candidate can pitch solid, enterprising story ideas rooted in accountability, research, and substantiating documents. This journalism provides the audience with clarity, nuance, and context that helps them more deeply understand issues affecting their lives.

The daily and in-depth stories will also answer questions from Floridians from rural, suburban, and urban communities. The reporter's access and expertise about state government will result in multimedia content on platforms including broadcast, digital, and social media.

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:

The State Government Reporter will help explain state government and engage Florida residents in the process. This self-starting reporter based in Tallahassee will produce journalism around problems individuals face daily, and on bigger issues like health, education, the economy, and accountability of state officials.

The candidate can pitch solid, enterprising stories rooted in accountability, research, and documents. Their multimedia journalism provides clarity, nuance, and context that helps Floridians more deeply understand issues affecting their lives.

Stories will also answer questions from rural, suburban, and urban communities, using the reporter's access and expertise about state government.

This journalist is responsible for developing story ideas with an editor based in Tampa, conducting interviews, producing comprehensive news reports, and consistently collaborating with Florida news organizations.

Journalists in this role must have solid news judgment and a strong ethical foundation and must maintain high editorial news standards.  Radio, digital, and public media experience are a plus.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Produce regular, engaging short-form videos, audio, and digital stories that help explain state government and its impact on residents. Develop and produce in-depth stories focused on government accountability.

Participate actively with the State Government team to develop and produce short-and-long-form journalism for Floridians. Monitor state government and mastery understanding of its functions.

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 reporting on state government, and knowledge of data and analytics will be an advantage. Video, radio, digital, and public media experience are a plus.

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. This position will be based in the state capital, Tallahassee.

USF Tampa

Information for Applicants

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

Job Opening Number: 38208

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 38208 under Search Jobs.