Frederick County Freelance Reporter

WYPF & WYPR is seeking a Frederick County based Freelance Reporter who can give voice to those Marylanders in the sixth congressional district including Garrett, Allegany, Frederick, and Washington counties as well as a portion of Montgomery County. They will have the curiosity and skills to cover and uncover a wide swath of stories with accuracy and a compelling narrative. This position will report to the news director and in their absence, the executive director of news. You will bring a toolkit that shows demonstrated acumen in field production, breaking news coverage, community news and feature stories. While this position is remote, you will be fully immersed in newsroom training and take part in team building exercises and meetings when applicable.

We don’t think that geography should hamper us from better serving all of those in our listening area and thus highlighting the mosaic that is Maryland’s culture and politics. The voices of the Frederick County area residents are an integral part of the varied opinions and issues that come from the growing northern part of our state. Most importantly, WYPR has a tower and a clear signal there, and we’d like to better serve them. Frederick County also has a vocal Latin American and a native Nigerian community. Just another example of Maryland’s overall diversity.

Responsibilities

• Develop and pitch story ideas to the news director
• Write and report compelling stories about Frederick County that reflect and impact residents of the community
• Engage community leaders to develop and tell well balanced stories that go beyond the surface
• Broaden the scope and provide context to longstanding issues that are germane to Frederick County residents
• Develop beat sources and mutual trust and respect to receive scoops and break stories
• Maintain communication with newsroom leaders about your availability
• Ability to meet deadlines

Requirements

• A minimum of two years of demonstrated reporting on-air experience, or a combination of progressive print and radio skills
• Adept at AP style
• Strong news judgement
• Excellent communication, and organizational skills
• Ability to meet deadlines under pressure
• Ability to convey story ideas with clarity 
• Ability to take, learn from and give constructive feedback
• Teamwork and willingness to collaborate with others
• A commitment to upholding public radio ethics and journalistic standards

Preferred Skills

• Knowledge of Public Radio
• Comfortable using social media to enhance reporting and promote stories
• Meticulous sense of detail
• Ability to manage multiple tasks
• Active communication and problem-solving skills
• Working knowledge of Your Public Radio programming and the services of the network is preferred
• Valid driver’s license and access to a personal vehicle

Core Competencies:

• Change/Adaptability/Flexibility: Adapts to change that benefits Your Public Radio, is open to new ideas, takes on new responsibilities, handles pressure, adjusts plans to meet changing needs.
• Communication: Communicates well both verbally and in writing, promptly shares information and ideas with others throughout the organization as appropriate, has active listening skills, can negotiate and persuade as needed.
• Results Focus/Initiative: Targets and achieves results, sets challenging goals, prioritizes tasks, overcomes obstacles, accepts accountability, sets high standards and takes responsibility, provides leadership/motivation.
• Collaboration: Working collaboratively with others to solve problems, achieve common goals and positive results. Listens to others and values opinions. Is open with other team members and expresses disagreement constructively. Seeks opportunities to work on teams as a means to develop experience and knowledge.

Professionalism: Observes work rules and practices covered during the orientation process and practices appropriate conduct as outlined in the Baltimore Public Media Handbook.

WYPR offers a competitive benefits package.

Applications can also be mailed to Business Manager, WYPR, 2216 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218. Position open until filled. No phone calls, please

Baltimore Public Media is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We believe that a diverse workforce that reflects Baltimore City and the surrounding Maryland counties enhances and informs our programming.  We are seeking candidates comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds to support our daily work life, contribute to the richness of our programming and make us better members of our community.

The Organization: WYPR is a long-standing, reliable source of news, captivating programming and community engagement in the greater Baltimore and Maryland region. The mission of Baltimore Public Media is to inform, connect and even challenge the listeners we serve in the metropolitan Baltimore area and the State of Maryland by broadcasting programs of intellectual integrity and cultural merit to provide an unbiased perspective of the events of today and to enrich the minds and spirits of our audience.