What are the responsibilities and job description for the Staff Reporter, Sky position at Chicago Public Media?
About the Sun-Times
The Chicago Sun-Times is the hardest-working paper in America, covering the stories and issues that matter most to Chicagoans with depth, integrity, and grit. The newsroom has earned eight Pulitzer Prizes for its hard-hitting investigative reporting, in-depth political coverage, insightful sports analysis, entertainment reviews, and cultural commentary. An industry-leading innovator in local news, it has been recognized nationally for expanding digital and multimedia reporting platforms alongside its indomitable daily newspaper, which celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2023.
In January 2022, the Sun-Times merged with public radio station WBEZ with a shared mission to strengthen local journalism in Chicago. Under the banner of Chicago Public Media, Chicago Sun-Times Media, Inc. (CSTM) is now part of one of the largest nonprofit news organizations in the nation. This merger reinforces our commitment to serving Chicagoans with the news that matters most -– fact-based, unbiased journalism that is deeply connected to Chicago communities.
The Chicago Sun-Times is a distinctly Chicago news organization, with a laser focus on telling stories that matter to the people of the Chicago area. We are seeking an experienced sports beat writer to cover the Chicago Sky. This is a beat where we have established ourselves as a national news-breaker on the WNBA beat and women's professional sports. This job will require the successful candidate to break news, get behind-the-scenes stories, effectively use social media, embrace multi-platform reporting, and travel with the team.
Responsibilities
This is a non-exempt (union) position. Sun-Times Media Productions LLC does not discriminate in its employment decisions on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender, color, religion, age, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, citizenship or national origin, and military membership or veteran status, or on any other basis which would be in violation of any applicable federal, state or local law.
Working at Chicago Public Media
At Chicago Public Media, we care deeply about our employees as we know attracting, developing, and growing talent is key to our success and enhancing our impact.
Our culture is one where collaboration, diversity of ideas, and innovation are encouraged. We value colleagues who will enhance our culture by bringing new ideas, divergent experiences, and talents to our dynamic workplace.
At Chicago Public Media we believe dedication to a great workplace includes supporting our employees and their families. As a result, we provide a broad and generous benefits package for employees at hire and in the years to come.
Our benefits include a competitive salary and benefits package which includes medical, dental, vision, vacation, holidays, life insurance, disability coverage, retirement savings, and a commuter benefits plan.
Chicago Public Media is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we actively seek and welcome people from all backgrounds, orientations, and life experiences to join our team.
The essential functions described above are not all-inclusive and are not intended to create any contractual or other legal commitment. Chicago Public Media may change the content or format of this job at any time in its sole and exclusive discretion without notice.
The Chicago Sun-Times is the hardest-working paper in America, covering the stories and issues that matter most to Chicagoans with depth, integrity, and grit. The newsroom has earned eight Pulitzer Prizes for its hard-hitting investigative reporting, in-depth political coverage, insightful sports analysis, entertainment reviews, and cultural commentary. An industry-leading innovator in local news, it has been recognized nationally for expanding digital and multimedia reporting platforms alongside its indomitable daily newspaper, which celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2023.
In January 2022, the Sun-Times merged with public radio station WBEZ with a shared mission to strengthen local journalism in Chicago. Under the banner of Chicago Public Media, Chicago Sun-Times Media, Inc. (CSTM) is now part of one of the largest nonprofit news organizations in the nation. This merger reinforces our commitment to serving Chicagoans with the news that matters most -– fact-based, unbiased journalism that is deeply connected to Chicago communities.
The Chicago Sun-Times is a distinctly Chicago news organization, with a laser focus on telling stories that matter to the people of the Chicago area. We are seeking an experienced sports beat writer to cover the Chicago Sky. This is a beat where we have established ourselves as a national news-breaker on the WNBA beat and women's professional sports. This job will require the successful candidate to break news, get behind-the-scenes stories, effectively use social media, embrace multi-platform reporting, and travel with the team.
Responsibilities
- Provide factual, accurate, fair and balanced coverage of the Sky organization, including its players, front office and ownership, and the WNBA
- Break news, both on the Sky and WNBA
- Write a mix of stories — columns, features and fan-engagement posts — giving fans the most critical information about the Sky and WNBA
- Be the face of our Sky coverage, both in print and online through podcasts and, in some cases, video reporting
- Work with the Sun-Times audience and visual teams to develop video, infographics, and other interactive elements that engage both digital and print readers — with some of these elements to be used to promote stories on social media
- Use social media to interact with fans, including during games, and to promote one's work
- Write clearly on tight deadlines and thrive in breaking-news situations
- Produce multiple daily stories with multiple elements (text, photo, video)
- Team player with excellent news judgment
- Highly self-motivated and self-directed
- Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications or related field
- Experience covering a daily sports beat
- Commitment to work long hours, following the team at home and on the road — and during weekends and holidays
- Ability to travel nationally and internationally
- Proficient knowledge of social media, including X, TikTok, Instagram and Facebook
This is a non-exempt (union) position. Sun-Times Media Productions LLC does not discriminate in its employment decisions on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender, color, religion, age, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, citizenship or national origin, and military membership or veteran status, or on any other basis which would be in violation of any applicable federal, state or local law.
Working at Chicago Public Media
At Chicago Public Media, we care deeply about our employees as we know attracting, developing, and growing talent is key to our success and enhancing our impact.
Our culture is one where collaboration, diversity of ideas, and innovation are encouraged. We value colleagues who will enhance our culture by bringing new ideas, divergent experiences, and talents to our dynamic workplace.
At Chicago Public Media we believe dedication to a great workplace includes supporting our employees and their families. As a result, we provide a broad and generous benefits package for employees at hire and in the years to come.
Our benefits include a competitive salary and benefits package which includes medical, dental, vision, vacation, holidays, life insurance, disability coverage, retirement savings, and a commuter benefits plan.
Chicago Public Media is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we actively seek and welcome people from all backgrounds, orientations, and life experiences to join our team.
The essential functions described above are not all-inclusive and are not intended to create any contractual or other legal commitment. Chicago Public Media may change the content or format of this job at any time in its sole and exclusive discretion without notice.
