About Our Company
Civic Media has built a radio and digital media network in the Midwest with the goal of championing the practice of democracy by empowering honest and informative local voices. We’re merging the legacy of radio with the immediacy of digital to deliver high-quality content to a growing audience via our radio stations, websites, mobile app and associated social media platforms. We work in a fast-paced environment that values communication, integrity, vision, innovation and collaboration in order to fulfill our vision of being the media platform that informs, guides, and inspires our audience through the complex landscape of information, commentary, and civic engagement.
SUMMARY
The Reporter will be a key contributor to local news coverage for WNOV and The Milwaukee Courier. This role involves covering local civic engagement, voting access, neighborhood issues, and local sports. This reporter will help residents stay informed, engaged, and connected to the issues that make Milwaukee unique. The ideal candidate understands Milwaukee’s communities, political landscape, and sports culture, and can translate complex issues into accurate, accessible, compelling stories.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Civic & Community Reporting (Primary Focus)
- Cover city, county, school board, and neighborhood-level government
- Report on public policy, budgets, and leadership decisions
- Track issues including public safety, housing, education, transportation, and economic development
- Produce accountability and explanatory reporting that answers: How does this affect Milwaukee residents?
- Build strong relationships with community leaders, organizers, and residents
- Community Sports & Youth Culture (Selective Coverage)
- Cover high school and youth sports as community impact stories
- Profile standout athletes, coaches, and programs
- Report on sports when they intersect with funding, equity, facilities, or school policy
- Produce occasional event coverage when strategically valuable
- Regularly conduct news-driven interviews, including all aspects of booking, researching, preparation, recording, and editing, in alignment with editorial priorities and coverage needs.
- Produce corresponding newscasts daily from interviews.
- Post audio content online following digital standards.
- Attend local events, press conferences, and community meetings to gather news.
- Collaborate with the News Director, Station Manager, and reporters.
- Ensure accuracy, fairness, and adherence to journalistic ethics.
- Engage with audiences via social media and digital
- Establish and maintain strong connections to the local community to develop story ideas.
- Perform other duties as assigned to support the news operation.
- While reporters are encouraged to embrace field reporting, this position is not suitable for regular remote work. The locally assigned studio/office serves as the home base for this role.
- Pay range for this role is $40,000-$50,000, commensurate upon experience
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCES
- Comfortable working under tight deadlines and adapting to breaking news situations
- Strong research, investigative, and interviewing skills.
- Proficiency with audio recording and editing software; familiarity with broadcast equipment.
- Ability to produce high-quality content under tight deadlines.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Knowledge of media law, AP Style, and journalistic ethics.
- Ability to, at times, work irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, and occasional travel.
- Self-starter with strong organizational and time management skills.
REQUIREMENTS
- 2-5 years’ experience as a journalist or reporter preferred
- Associate’s degree in Journalism, Communications, or related field highly preferred
- Proficiency with audio recording and editing software
- Knowledge of media law and journalistic ethics
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
Civic Media is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.
