Reporter, Health

Reporter, Health

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. 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.

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.

News gathering and Production

• 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.

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.

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…