General Assignment Reporter

Job Summary:

The General Assignment Reporter is part of the team responsible for WHRO Journalism’s coverage of Hampton Roads and the ever-changing issues, events and people that influence daily life.

The reporter will be expected to cover local governments in the form of city councils, school boards and other related governing bodies. Flexibility and organization are paramount; thinking on your feet to meet deadlines is a must.

This reporter may find themselves crossing temporarily into other reporter’s beats and will need to work cooperatively to effectively tell immediate, quick stories for radio and digital presentation. The General Assignment reporter will always be welcome to carve out their own ‘mini-beats’ based on their journalistic interests and may produce features in addition to daily newscast assets.

The General Assignment reporter will be expected to produce radio assets almost every day and digital news stories several times a week. Occasionally, the General Assignment reporter may participate in live interviews since they will be one of the first newsroom members to respond to major local events.

This can be an entry-level position.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• File regular daily and long-form news that could include audio, digital, written, live and visual elements.
• Change focus and float among different beats to ensure WHRO delivers in-depth, compelling reporting on topics the news cycle demands
• Report and write quickly and accurately for daily newscasts and web updates
• Shoot usable photos to accompany digital content
• Gather high-quality and relevant audio to tell radio stories
• Maintain an appropriate social media presence while observing WHRO’s Social Media Policy and best ethical practices for journalists
• Exchange story ideas and sources with other reporters as needed
• Participate in station events as appropriate.
• Ensure all reporting meets the WHRO expectations of accuracy, independence and fairness.
• Participate in newsroom trainings
• Openness to work varied shifts as required by the news cycle.
• Contribute to special coverage, like elections and severe weather.
• Other duties as assigned

Required Skills/Abilities:

The ideal candidate will have:

• Passion for impactful local journalism, regardless of platform
• Integrity, independence and strong ethical and editorial judgment
• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills
• Preparedness to work under daily deadlines while managing longer term reporting
• Ability to quickly adjust plans and switch attention to more immediate newsroom content needs
• Drive to out-report other journalists and pursue stories that bring them joy and add to the experience for WHRO audiences

Other desirable, but not required, skills and experience include:

• Demonstrated knowledge in journalism
• Experience in newsroom, preferably local or regional
• Experience in audio field reporting and production

Education:

• A Bachelors degree or comparable professional experience in journalism or a related field

Physical Activities

• Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.
• Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another.
• Communicating with others to exchange information.
• Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.
• Operating motor vehicles.
• Assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned.

Environmental Conditions

• Low temperatures.
• High temperatures.
• Outdoor elements such as precipitation and wind.
• Noisy environments.
• Hazardous conditions.

Physical Demands

• Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing.