WGLT Economy & Business Reporter

Title: WGLT Economy & Business Reporter
Division Name: Academic Affairs
Department: Radio Station WGLT

Job Summary

WGLT’s Economy & Business reporter produces on-air and online content that helps our audiences better understand the Bloomington-Normal area economy and make better decisions about their personal life and/or business. This reporter should strive to “own” this beat and regularly break stories first. The position will also be responsible for managing products related to the Economy & Business beat, including a newsletter.

Additional Information

WGLT is Bloomington-Normal’s Public Media and part of the NPR Network, serving a mix of users who listen, read and watch. WGLT is based at Illinois State University and, through a partnership with Bradley University, also operates WCBU in Peoria. WGLT is a member of the Institute for Nonprofit News.


University Benefit Highlights:

- Insurance benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life
- Retirement and supplemental retirement planning options
- Tuition waiver benefits available to staff as well as their eligible dependents
- Paid holiday/administrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks
- Paid benefit time

Additional University Benefit information, including information regarding eligibility to participate in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program, can be reviewed here: https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/

Salary Rate / Pay Rate

$48,000-$52,000 annual

Required Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in journalism, mass media, communications, or related field.
2. One (1) year of news reporting experience.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Familiarity with public media and the NPR Network.
2. Knowledge of Central Illinois and statewide news issues and personalities.
3. Prior Economy & Business reporting experience or other background (such as college-level coursework) in economics, business administration or management, entrepreneurship or related fields.
4. Professional or student-media experience as a “beat” reporter, including source cultivation and story planning.
5. Professional or student-media experience with producing content for alternative formats, such as an email newsletter, vertical video or podcast.
6. Audio production and editing experience, such as Adobe Audition or similar software.
7. Ability to gather information through interviews and then write clear and concise stories to engage an audience.
8. Ability to provide summaries and overviews of issues and events as they develop in public discourse.
9. Ability to quickly absorb information and locate and synthesize disparate sources of data.
10. Knowledge of generally accepted journalistic standards of objectivity, fairness, and balance when editing own work and the work of others, as well as working knowledge of The Associated Press Stylebook.
11. Ability to balance competing priorities and work on tight daily deadlines and long-term projects with a high degree of accuracy.
12. Ability to comfortably interact with the general public.

Work Hours

Core work hours are generally Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm. Occasional weekend and evening hours are required as business needs dictate.

Functional Expectations

Must be able to complete the following with or without a reasonable accommodation:
1. Effectively communicate on a daily basis.
2. Remain at a workstation for extended periods
3. Move about in various locations across campus as needed to complete day-to-day work.

Proposed Starting Date

September 2026

Required Applicant Documents

Resume

Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Optional Applicant Documents

Transcripts - See Special Instructions section for additional options
Certification of Retirement Annuity

Please Note: These documents may be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Special Instructions for Applicants

Please fully compl