About the job

General Information

WMRA Public Radio at James Madison University is accepting applications for a News Reporter. WMRA is Harrisonburg’s local NPR affiliate, with a broadcast range spanning the Shenandoah Valley, Charlottesville, Winchester, Lexington, and Farmville, Virginia. WMRA and sister station WEMC are supported by the local community and are recognized for quality programming. WMRA is licensed to James Madison University, and all staff are employees of the university. More information about the station is available at wmra.org.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Reports to WMRA News Director and regularly collaborates with on-air staff.
• Serves as lead reporter, based in WMRA’s Harrisonburg studio. Responds to news assignments and event coverage across WMRA’s listening area in a timely fashion.
• Produces NPR-style pieces that reflect WMRA’s high standards of journalism and production. Includes daily newscast materials (45-80 seconds in length) and weekly news features (3-5 minutes in length) for broadcast and publishing online.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Excellent writing skills, with significant experience in reporting, interviewing, researching, news writing and editing.
• Experience in public radio reporting and enterprise journalism.
• Strong audio editing skills.
• Experience with broadcast equipment, such as audio capture software and digital recorders, in the studio and the field.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Professional sound (on-air delivery and production techniques) in live and recorded work.
• Ability to travel to news assignments and events, including occasional evenings and weekends.
• Familiarity with WMRA’s listening area is preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communication, English or other related fields is preferred.
• Condition(s) of Employment
• Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.