Reporter, Health

JOB POSTING

Title: Reporter, Health
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Department: News

ABOUT WFYI

WFYI is a nonprofit organization that, for more than 50 years, has been providing trusted journalism, inspiring stories, and lifelong learning to Central Indiana with a vision of an informed, inspired, and inclusive Indiana.

JOB SUMMARY

WFYI Public Media seeks an experienced health reporter to contribute to its mission by producing accurate, fair, independent, and accessible journalism that helps audiences understand the health issues shaping communities across Central Indiana and statewide. Through daily, enterprise, and investigative stories centered on people, this position strengthens public understanding, supports informed civic participation, and connects local audiences to journalism that is relevant, useful, and accountable.

WFYI’s health reporter will tell the stories of people and families navigating Indiana’s health care system and explore how decisions made by hospitals, insurers, agencies, and legislators shape access to care and health outcomes in communities throughout the state. Coverage may include persistent health disparities along racial and economic lines, Indiana's Medicaid system and its impact on low-income residents, maternal and infant mortality, mental health and substance use, access to care in underserved urban and rural communities, and the effect of state and federal policy on reproductive health.
Ideal candidates will be comfortable moving between breaking news and months-long investigations. They will be able to produce in-depth digital articles, sound-rich audio features, daily stories for the web and newscasts, and video for social and television platforms. They will have demonstrated experience reporting what policy decisions mean for individuals, families, and communities navigating the consequences.

The assigned beat reflected in this job description is subject to change based on organizational needs. Reporters may be reassigned to different beats, and such reassignment does not constitute a change in classification or position.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The essential functions and responsibilities listed below describe the primary duties of this position. Duties may be adjusted based on staffing, workload, and organizational needs. As WFYI’s journalism priorities and audience needs evolve, WFYI may adjust work assignments, assigned beat, coverage priorities, or reporting focus based on editorial needs. Nothing in this job description limits management’s right to assign, reassign, or modify duties, consistent with the terms of any applicable collective bargaining agreement.

Reporting and Story Development

• Identify and pitch stories while working with the editorial leadership team to develop and report original stories that feature individuals with lived experience.
• Use clear and concise writing to explain complex topics and their significance.
• Report, write, and present breaking news, features, enterprise, and investigative stories as assigned.
• Adapt reporting focus, source development, and story planning as assigned when WFYI adjusts beats or coverage priorities to meet audience, editorial, staffing, or organizational needs.

Newsgathering and Production

• Build and maintain a large network of sources.
• Conduct thorough research and newsgathering, including capturing audio, video, photos, and supporting materials to enhance the depth and quality of coverage.
• Collaborate with the digital team to produce engaging content tailored for broadcast, digital, and social media platforms.
• Meet deadlines and follow WFYI’s editorial standards for accuracy, fairness, independence, clarity, and ethical journalism.

Audience Engagement and Platform Presence

• Make regular appearances across media platforms, including broadcasts, social media, podcasts, and community events.
• Work with staff throughout WFYI to discover new stories and angles that ensure we are reporting for communities, not on communities.
• Develop reporting that serves audiences locally, statewide, and through regional or national public media distribution.

Editorial Collaboration and Special Coverage

• Actively participate in editorial meetings and planning sessions and collaborate with editors and content teams to shape story direction, strengthen reporting, and uphold journalistic standards.
• Contribute to the planning and execution of special coverage, including legislative sessions, elections, breaking news, and public forums.
• Collaborate with editors, producers, reporters, and other colleagues to adapt reporting for multiple platforms and support coordinated coverage priorities.

Other Duties as Assigned

• Perform other duties as assigned, including duties that may not be specifically listed herein but are consistent with the nature of the position and WFYI’s operational needs.
• WFYI team members, including this position, must demonstrate an ongoing commitment to WFYI’s mission and to public media, journalism, education, and community engagement.
• WFYI team members, including this position, may provide backup support across functions or positions as needed based on staffing, workload, expertise, and organizational needs.

WORK LOCATION, TRAVEL, SCHEDULING, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

This position is based primarily at WFYI’s main office in Indianapolis, Indiana.

This position may require occasional travel and work outside regular business hours, including evenings, weekends, or holidays, to support WFYI’s organizational needs and priorities.

​​​WFYI’s regular business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern, though this does not limit management’s right to determine and adjust the position’s schedule, consistent with operational needs and the terms of any applicable collective bargaining agreement.

To perform this job successfully, an individual may be required to have and maintain a valid driver’s license, a satisfactory motor vehicle record, and eligibility under WFYI’s insurance requirements to drive WFYI vehicles.

QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate should possess the qualifications described below.

Education

Minimum:

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, or a closely related field; equivalent relevant experience may substitute for some or all of the formal education requirement

Experience

Minimum:

• At least three years of reporting or other relevant journalism experience, which includes:
  • Applying AP Style in journalism or newsroom writing
  • Using sound news judgment to cover breaking stories while managing longer-term projects, including in-depth continuing coverage or investigations
  • Translating complex policies, financial data, or other technical information into clear, accessible reporting
  • Developing sources, building a reporting specialization, and identifying meaningful story ideas
  • Working collaboratively in a newsroom or similar editorial environment while managing assignments with a high level of personal motivation
  • Collaborating with editors, producers, reporters, partner media organizations, and other public media collaborators
  • Incorporating data and public records into reporting
  • Using a range of sources, contacts, data, public records, audience insights, and community perspectives to inform reporting and strengthen audience connection

Preferred:

• Experience in the following areas is preferred:
  • Health policy reporting
  • Producing journalism for digital, audio, broadcast, social media, video, photography, or other public media platforms
  • Using audience insights and community perspectives to inform reporting and strengthen audience connection
  • Building collaborative relationships with partner organizations

Technical Skills

Minimum:

• Working knowledge of office, communication, and digital production tools sufficient to support reporting, collaboration, research, writing, editing, and content production

Preferred:

• Experience with digital reporting, content management, audio editing, video, photography, data reporting, and social media production tools

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those an individual must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

• Ability to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and in writing
• Ability to lift, kneel, carry, and position equipment or other items weighing up to 25 pounds on an occasional basis
• Ability to operate standard office equipment, including computers, phones, printers, and copiers
• Ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods and move throughout the workday as needed

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

To provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, employment decisions at WFYI will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. WFYI does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender/gender expression or identity, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, citizenship status, military status, or other characteristics protected by law.
WFYI will provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities or religious needs unless doing so would result in undue financial or operational hardship. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including recruitment, application, interview, selection, job assignments, compensation, discipline, termination, travel, and access to benefits and training. Applicants and employees may request accommodation before, during, or after the recruiting process, including at the application or interview stage, by contacting Human Resources at [email protected]. WFYI will review the request and engage in an appropriate process to determine whether reasonable accommodation can be provided.