Billy Penn Reporter

About WHYY

WHYY serves the Philadelphia region with trusted journalism, eye-opening storytelling and intimate local arts programming. Our curiosity and commitment to this community is what drives our programming. It’s also what drives our hiring.

Below you’ll find an employment opportunity in the fast-paced setting of the Philadelphia region’s leading public media provider. The award-winning professional staff of WHYY sets the bar high in television, radio and online. Whether it’s preparing a program to air or a behind-the-scenes role in support, all positions are vital to continuing—and growing—our impact in our community.

WHYY offers a voice to those not heard, a platform to share everyone’s stories, a foundation to empower early and lifelong learners and a trusted space for unbiased news. Learn more about our Social Responsibility Program. It’s how we live.

About the Role

Billy Penn is looking for an experienced, innovative professional to work as a general assignment reporter and contribute to the popular email newsletter. This reporter will help maintain the site’s tone, tenor, and content by creating original work that can’t be found elsewhere, and keeping tabs on what Philadelphia is talking about online and off. The ideal candidate can pitch a month’s worth of ideas at a time, produce an informed, focused article on short notice, and float between topics as necessary.

Top candidates will be able to report and write compelling original stories that aren’t being covered elsewhere; find stories in the people and things you encounter every day; get comfortable in communities that might not look like yours; know when and how to be funny in your reporting; and be able to express skepticism without being insulting.

This job isn’t about writing down what a politician said at a press conference — unless it’s truly ridiculous and very Philly. It is about explaining the city’s latest health directives in clear language, finding nuggets on social media and chasing down sources for the scoop, visualizing data about disparities and presenting it with solutions, exposing shenanigans, and shining a spotlight on people who help make Philadelphia the greatest city in the world.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• File 1-3 stories each week and keep track of multiple reporting projects
• Pitch ideas at biweekly editorial meetings and brainstorm with other team members
• Help identify or obtain artwork to go with your stories, including data visualizations
• Learn how to turn written articles into radio spots and produce them for WHYY-FM
• Cultivate contacts with sources and newsmakers connected to Philadelphia
• Help write and build Billy Penn email newsletters
• Curate news via Billy Penn’s social media accounts on rotating shifts
• Contribute ideas to and participate in Billy Penn events and panel discussions

Knowledge & Education: Familiarity with newsgathering methods and practices

Experience: Minimum 2 years of journalism experience preferred

Software/Technical Skills: Computer literacy; knowledge of online writing and editing standards; social media literacy; understanding of data visualization.

*This position is represented by SAG-AFTRA.

*All WHYY employees are required to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. Proof will be required upon hiring.