Philly Culture Reporter, Billy Penn

Description

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

This position is focused on two topics: the food and drink industry and the city’s cultural scene. The position may include audio and visual storytelling and will be involved in creating events that help engage and grow the BP audience. Candidates should be able to write with a combination of journalistic integrity and original voice, as well as conducting research and interviewing subjects.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

●  File multiple stories each week and keep track of multiple reporting projects to include written audio pieces for web and radio

●  Provide story ideas in Billy Penn weekly pitch meetings

●  Work closely with other reporters, sharing information and stories

●  Attend press events at food-and-drink and cultural institutions around the city

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

●  Cultivate sources inside Philadelphia food companies, restaurant groups, industry associations, related labor unions and the city’s cultural scene, including organizations that create and produce music, dance, arts and live performances.

●  Help identify, create, or obtain artwork to go with your stories

●  Help conceive, organize, and host food- and drink-related events

●  Cultivate new contacts with sources and newsmakers

• May be assigned general assignment as needed per the news cycle

●  Contribute to Billy Penn’s social media presence and help curate news on BP social media via rotating shift

●  Help write and build Billy Penn email newsletters

●  Assist with breaking news if needed

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

• Work closely with other Billy Penn reporters, sharing information and story ideas, and collaborate with the WHYY News staff at-large as applicable

• Possess knowledge of Associated Press style

• Attend WHYY News meetings and departmental meetings as applicable; contribute to or collaborate with WHYY News editorial news coverage plans as assigned

• Available to work nights and weekends as needed per the news cycle and scheduled events, as well as assigned holidays per the overall newsroom scheduling processes

• Maintain a regular and predictable attendance

• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Education: Familiarity with newsgathering methods and practices.

Experience: Minimum 3-5 years of reporting experience and food or drink writing experience preferred, as is familiarity with Philadelphia’s restaurant industry and its cultural institutions.

Software/Technical Skills: Ability to produce work across multiple platforms, such as web, radio and social media, and/or be trained to do so. Computer literacy; knowledge of online writing and editing standards; social media literacy.

*This position is represented by SAG-AFTRA.

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