VPM seeks an enthusiastic reporter to join our team working on the weekly TV news broadcast, VPM News Focal Point. The Multimedia Reporter produces, reports, shoots and edits innovative stories for the half-hour news program covering news, politics, and cultural events in Virginia. The broadcast will include studio and pre-produced segments about issues important to Central Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley. Content will be distributed across broadcast and multi-media platforms.

The ideal candidate will have strong journalistic standards and experience producing well-written, visually rich stories on deadline. They will also bring extensive knowledge of local and regional politics, current events, as well as Virginia history and arts & culture. The reporter produces stories for television broadcast, website, digital, and social media platforms and has strong knowledge of broadcast operations. The reporter may occasionally produce or collaborate on reports for radio broadcast and for special projects. The role is part of the VPM News team and reports to the Senior Producer of Focal Point.

Knowledge of public media is important, but the ideal candidate will also strive beyond the public media bubble to find people and voices that resonate meaningfully with our established and growing audiences, groups that are racially, ethnically, regionally, and politically diverse.

VPM is a public media organization serving Central Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley. The VPM News team produces award-winning journalism for our NPR affiliate station in Richmond with distribution across our digital platforms and television channels which broadcast in Richmond, Charlottesville and Harrisonburg, reaching over 2 million people in VPM’s coverage area. As an independent, non-profit service, we strive to educate and serve a more informed public.

VPM believes attracting and retaining diverse staff is crucial to serving our community and fulfilling our mission to educate and serve a more informed public.

Responsibilities

Works with the Senior Producer and editorial team to develop the program’s government and civics reporting and more
Cultivates sources and pitch original story ideas that reflect the communities VPM serves
Researches, reports, shoots video, writes, and edits news and feature stories for broadcast and multimedia platforms
Writes reported articles for the website, digital, and social media
Field-produces spots, news stories, and long-form segments
Uses social media to break news, engage audiences, and expand sources and partnerships
Develops stories that impact Virginia’s diverse population and perspectives
Deepens VPM’s coverage of Virginia state and local politics
Serves as backup line producer
Under the guidance of the Host/Producer, mentors news interns and student journalists
Participates in community engagement and marketing activities and other audience interactions as assigned on behalf of VPM

Required Qualifications

Minimum 4 years of reporting and producing experience in public or commercial television news production, on-air reporting experience preferred
B.A. degree or higher in journalism or related field of study is preferred, or equivalent experience
Knowledge of journalistic standards and ethics with sound judgement and a commitment to objectivity, balance, and fairness
Strong reporting, writing, technical, and news production skills
Knowledge of Virginia politics, history, and personalities strongly preferred
Experience producing broadcast, video, and multimedia content
Proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud software, especially Premiere Pro, and workflow management software
Experience with newsgathering, transmission, and digital asset management technology
Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills and the ability to clearly communicate solutions that foster a culture of teamwork
Ability to perform well under pressure, multi-task, meet deadlines, and be flexible
Flexible to work unusual hours and overnights in remote locations, as needed