Job Description

Title: WGLT Economy & Business Reporter
Division Name: Academic Affairs
Department: Radio Station WGLT

Job Summary

WGLT’s Economy & Business reporter produces on-air and online content that helps our audiences better understand the Bloomington-Normal area economy and make better decisions about their personal life and/or business. This reporter should strive to “own” this beat and regularly break stories first. The position will also be responsible for managing products related to the Economy & Business beat, including a newsletter.

Additional Information

WGLT is Bloomington-Normal’s Public Media and part of the NPR Network, serving a mix of users who listen, read and watch. WGLT is based at Illinois State University and, through a partnership with Bradley University, also operates WCBU in Peoria. WGLT is a member of the Institute for Nonprofit News.


University Benefit Highlights:

- Insurance benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life
- Retirement and supplemental retirement planning options
- Tuition waiver benefits available to staff as well as their eligible dependents
- Paid holiday/administrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks
- Paid benefit time

Additional University Benefit information, including information regarding eligibility to participate in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program, can be reviewed here: https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/

Salary Rate / Pay Rate

$48,000-$52,000 annual

Required Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in journalism, mass media, communications, or related field.
2. One (1) year of news reporting experience.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Familiarity with public media and the NPR Network.
2. Knowledge of Central Illinois and statewide news issues and personalities.
3. Prior Economy & Business reporting experience or other background (such as college-level coursework) in economics, business administration or management, entrepreneurship or related fields.
4. Professional or student-media experience as a “beat” reporter, including source cultivation and story planning.
5. Professional or student-media experience with producing content for alternative formats, such as an email newsletter, vertical video or podcast.
6. Audio production and editing experience, such as Adobe Audition or similar software.
7. Ability to gather information through interviews and then write clear and concise stories to engage an audience.
8. Ability to provide summaries and overviews of issues and events as they develop in public discourse.
9. Ability to quickly absorb information and locate and synthesize disparate sources of data.
10. Knowledge of generally accepted journalistic standards of objectivity, fairness, and balance when editing own work and the work of others, as well as working knowledge of The Associated Press Stylebook.
11. Ability to balance competing priorities and work on tight daily deadlines and long-term projects with a high degree of accuracy.
12. Ability to comfortably interact with the general public.

Work Hours

Core work hours are generally Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm. Occasional weekend and evening hours are required as business needs dictate.

Functional Expectations

Must be able to complete the following with or without a reasonable accommodation:
1. Effectively communicate on a daily basis.
2. Remain at a workstation for extended periods
3. Move about in various locations across campus as needed to complete day-to-day work.

Proposed Starting Date

September 2026

Required Applicant Documents

Resume

Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Optional Applicant Documents

Transcripts - See Special Instructions section for additional options
Certification of Retirement Annuity

Please Note: These documents may be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Special Instructions for Applicants

Please fully complete the entire application including, but not limited to, the education and work history portions. Be specific on your work history, including employment dates (if part-time you must list the number of work hours) and duties for all positions held. Applicable part-time work experience will be considered toward qualifying for this position; however, it will be converted to a full-time equivalency to determine combined length of experience. Please do not put "see resume" in the duties and responsibilities section of the work history. This will be considered an incomplete application and incomplete applications will not be considered.

College or university transcripts (may be unofficial) must be submitted prior to the application deadline to receive full consideration. Transcripts can either be uploaded with your application or submitted via the options listed below.

To be eligible for Veteran's Preference points on the exam, appropriate military service documentation such as a DD-214 must be submitted prior to the application deadline.

Transcripts and/or military service documentation may be faxed or mailed to Human Resources by the application deadline:

Fax: 309.438.0011, Attn: Breanna Crippen
Address: Illinois State University
Human Resources
Campus Box 1300
Normal, IL 61790-1300

The Civil Service examination for this classification is based on your application materials and responses to the supplemental questions. No participation other than submission of applicant materials is required from applicants that qualify to take the exam. If you meet the minimum required qualifications for this position, you will receive a score calculated based on your education and experience, and your name will be placed on the active employment register by exam score. After the application deadline, the names within the top three scores will be referred to the department for interview. The active register for this classification will be voided when the position is filled.

Illinois State University is authorized to do business within the State of Illinois. All work under this appointment is required to be performed from within the State of Illinois. If hired, out-of-state candidates must establish Illinois residency within 180 calendar days from the start date for this position. Illinois residency requires proof of a valid Illinois driver’s license or a valid State of Illinois ID card. Failure to produce the required documentation within 180 calendar days will result in immediate termination of employment.

Applicants for this position must be currently legally authorized to work for Illinois State University in the United States. Illinois State University will not sponsor or take over the sponsorship of an employment visa for this opportunity. Illinois State University is not a qualifying employer for the STEM OPT benefit: only the 12-month OPT may be used to work at Illinois State University.

Contact Information for Applicants

Breanna Crippen
Human Resources
309-438-8315
bcplese@ilstu.edu 

Important Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311.