Reporter, Health

JOB POSTING

Title:

Reporter, Health

Location:

Indianapolis, IN
Department:
News

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.

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.

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.

• 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.

• Build and maintain a large network of sources.
• Conduct thorough research and news gathering, 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.

• 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.

• Actively participate in…