Investigative Reporter, Billy Penn

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 journalist to work as an investigative reporter. This person will deepen Billy Penn’s community impact and engage the local newsroom’s growing audience by producing enterprise reporting that uncovers new information or creates new understanding about the people, businesses, organizations, and cultural forces that define Philadelphia.

 

The ideal candidate can find interesting questions in everyday occurrences, investigate them with vigor, and translate the results into clear, compelling stories.

 

Top candidates will be adept at developing trust with sources; relentless in extracting information from authorities; skilled in requesting public records; proficient in data journalism; and able to get comfortable in communities that might not look like them. 

 

In Billy Penn fashion, this reporting will encompass topics both traditional and nontraditional, from politics and government to history and pop culture. An investigation could require digging into campaign finance filings, or diving into archives of a local candy company.

 

This job isn’t about chasing stories other outlets are already covering. It is about finding nuggets in unusual places, building relationships that make you a go-to for tips, exploring disparities and presenting them with solutions, and exposing shenanigans so people have a better reason to believe Philadelphia can be the greatest city in the world.

 

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 

• File 1-3 stories each week and keep track of multiple reporting projects

• Participate in weekly editorial meetings and brainstorm with other team members

• Cultivate insider sources in Philadelphia neighborhoods, government, and organizations

• Request government records to inform your stories, and advise other team members on their requests

• Identify data and produce data visualizations that inform your stories, advise other team members on deployment of data

• Help identify or obtain artwork to go with your stories

• Turn written articles into radio spots and produce them for WHYY-FM

• Help write and build Billy Penn email newsletters

• Curate news via Billy Penn’s social media accounts on rotating shifts

• Assist with breaking news if needed

• Contribute ideas to and participate in Billy Penn events and panel discussions

Education: Familiarity with newsgathering methods and practices

 

Experience: Minimum 5 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.