Criminal Justice Reporter

WABE is a non-profit organization formally called Atlanta Educational Telecommunications Collaborative, Inc. (AETC). As a broadcast service, WABE is comprised of WABE90.1FM, WABE TV, WABE.org and numerous podcasts and digital offerings. For more information on the broadcast service, programming and opportunities, please visit www.wabe.org.

This position reports on criminal justice issues in metro Atlanta and throughout Georgia. Areas of coverage will include, but are not limited to, policing, courts, jails, prisons, detention centers and capital punishment. The reporter will also be aware of developments among community organizations as well as follow state legislation relevant to the criminal legal system.

Importantly, this reporter will maintain a critical awareness of local history and socioeconomic determinants of criminalization. Ideally, this reporter will respond to and follow breaking news events on the beat, not always during business hours. We want stories that center humanity, scrutinize social structures, and fact check conventional political narratives about crime, not just short-term updates on statistics. This reporter should be prepared to navigate law enforcement agencies and court systems at city, county, state, and federal levels.

We don’t need you to know everything that’s happening at all times but do invite selective pitches that speak to larger patterns our audience should know about. Framing news stories about crime carries a serious responsibility. Context is as important as technical accuracy. We welcome careful reporting through lenses of race, class, gender, and sexuality. Our ideal candidate has empathy, critical thinking skills and creativity. Applicants directly impacted by the criminal legal system are encouraged to apply.

Accountabilities:

  • Writing quickly and accurately on deadline for radio, digital and social about complex issues for daily newscasts (when appropriate) and other platforms.
  • Serves as WABE reporter for local and national news programs, presenting local news and feature reports.
  • Works in cooperation with the news department to compile stories and live, on-air presentation of local content for news programs. This will be a combination of in-studio production, interviewing (some live), coverage of special news assignments as directed, working with technical equipment related to broadcasting.
  • Experience collaborating or willingness to collaborate with national outlets on long-term justice-related projects
  • Serves on behalf of the station at assigned station events or other community related forums.
  • Other duties as assigned by Senior Editors.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

  • Journalism or Communications Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent work experience.
  • At least three years of experience working in digital, broadcast or video journalism.
  • Impeccable news judgment and ethics.
  • Excellent writing and editing skills.
  • Strong organizational skills and ability to juggle multiple tasks and deadlines.
  • Ability to work collaboratively with a creative team to solve problems and achieve common goals.
  • Experience with video and audio production tools, photography, social media.
  • Work with team for on-air pledge drives as directed.
  • Digital reporting/writing experience preferred.
  • Fluency in a second language is highly desired.

Work Environment & Physical Demands:

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Individuals may need to sit or stand as needed. Will require walking primarily on a level surface for periodic periods throughout the day. Reaching above shoulder heights, below the waist or lifting as required (up to 10 lbs.), filing documents, climbing, storing equipment, and working around high voltage equipment.  Proper lifting techniques required. Working in spaces/rooms with various temperatures and lighting, confined spaces, and broadcast equipment as found in a typical technical broadcast environment in addition to working outdoors in all types of weather conditions and temperatures.

For consideration, submit resume and cover letter to:
WABE
Attention: Human Resources
740 Bismark Rd. NE
Atlanta, GA 30324
Fax: 678-553-3026
Apply online or Email: jobs@wabe.org
EOE