Appointment: Academic Staff 100% fixed term appointment, 12 months
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Availability: For best consideration apply by 2/19/19
BACKGROUND
The Second Century Fellowship is designed for a recent graduate or early career reporter and is meant to prepare journalists of color, and those from other groups underrepresented in the media industry, for a successful career in news. The successful candidate will work as a reporter in Wisconsin Public Radio’s Milwaukee newsroom for 12 months starting in June 2019.
Wisconsin Public Radio is the second-largest public radio network in the U.S., with a combined total of 37 stations. We are committed to achieving a diverse workforce and to maintaining an atmosphere of diversity and inclusion. We want our staff and programming to reflect the rich culture and diversity of our state and actively encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.
The Second Century Fellow will receive close supervision and coaching as a reporter, in areas that include story selection, interviewing, sound editing, writing, and developing in-depth stories. As the successful candidate will likely already have some level of experience as an intern or part-time reporter, this will be a higher-level of instruction and feedback, with a higher level of work product expected.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Second Century Fellow is considered a developmental reporter at WPR. This individual will be a general assignment reporter responsible for producing newscast-length stories and, occasionally, feature-length material. Regular and concentrated coaching on writing, editing, voicing and other aspects of radio news reporting is an important developmental element of this fellowship. The fellow will also contribute to WPR’s online news efforts, such as posting photos or raw audio to our web site, helping to create special pages for future reporting projects, etc. This position reports to the Assistant News Director.
SPECIFIC DUTIES
- Prepare news reports for statewide use. At times, the Fellow may also discuss his or her latest story on one of WPR’s talk programs.
- Contribute on a daily basis to our website, WPR.org, and other digital projects and collaborate with our digital content team on both long-term and short-term multimedia projects.
- Keep up on current issues, events, and news makers, in Wisconsin.
- Participate in on-air fundraising and public appearances/promotional events as requested. Participate in news division, and statewide meetings.
- Operate control board and field reporting equipment.
- Maintain the standards of journalistic ethics and excellence described in Ethical Guidelines for Editorial Staff: http://bami.uwex.edu.
- Effectively engage diverse perspectives and experiences in all workplace interactions and demonstrate respect for others in all workplace relationships.
- Other duties as apparent or assigned.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Produce stories for newscasts and talk shows using WPR equipment and in accordance with WPR policies and standards.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Previous broadcast news internship or professional experience
- Demonstrated ability to generate news story ideas
- Some experience producing or re-purposing news material for the web
- Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines
- Demonstrated ability to operate radio production equipment
- Demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity and inclusion in the workplace and in broadcast representation.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
- Passion for news and news reporting
- Knowledge and understanding of public broadcasting journalistic ethics
COMPENSATION
The salary for the Second Century Fellow is $3,500 per month; the University of Wisconsin Extension offers a comprehensive benefits package.
HOW TO APPLY
For best consideration, submit all application materials online at our applicant portal https://www.careers.wisconsin.edu by February 19, 2019 at 5pm. This is job # 15204. A completed application will include a comprehensive resume, detailed cover letter explaining how you meet the qualifications and why this fellowship meets your career development needs, and a list of four (4) professional references, including email.
In addition, please provide these samples of your work:
- A sound sample of a news report. You may provide a link (preferred) or an mp3 file. If you don’t have samples from previous work, you may create a report specifically for this application.
- Two to three samples of radio news scripts you have prepared. If you don’t have examples from previous work, you may create scripts specifically for this application.
Direct inquiries and online support questions to: Erin Cook, Wisconsin Public Radio, 821 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, 608-263-0477; erin.cook@wpr.org.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Employment will require a criminal background check. It will also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment.
Employment is contingent on establishment of identity and verification of employment eligibility as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.
It is the policy of UW to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. If you require an accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact the person listed above.
As a unit within the University of Wisconsin, WPR is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer and no qualified applicant will be eliminated from consideration. WPR is committed to achieving a diverse workforce and to maintaining an atmosphere of diversity and inclusion. We want our staff and programming to reflect the rich culture and diversity of our state and actively encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.