IPR News Community Engagement Reporter (Year-Round)

Job Description

Job Description

Interlochen Public Radio (IPR) is looking for a talented journalist to join our award-winning and enterprise-focused newsroom. This person will build strong connections between our work and the community we serve while covering news for broadcast and online audiences in northern Michigan, a scenic region featuring big water, lush forests and a vibrant community of smart and creative people. For the ideal candidate, this is an opportunity to do excellent reporting while also shaping the future of a beloved public radio service in a changing media landscape.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Cover general assignment news for broadcast and digital platforms.
• Manage community engagement for IPR News by communicating with area residents about issues that matter to them and developing deep stories that shed light on life in our region.
• Support other reporters in their community engagement efforts.
• Write and compile the weekly IPR News e-mail newsletter, which has a strong following.
• Routinely appear on live radio to discuss reporting and audience feedback, gathered via in-person communication, phone calls, email, SpeakPipe, the IPR app, social media and other platforms.
• Share IPR's reporting across digital platforms, including social media.
• Weigh in on the final presentation of stories and how they can best appear on digital platforms.
• Participate in membership drives and promotional efforts to support IPR's funding initiatives.
• Attend station-sponsored and community events to enhance visibility, engage with the audience, and build public trust in local journalism.
• Support additional newsroom activities as directed by the news director, including breaking news coverage and special projects.
• Approximately 60% of this job focuses on traditional reporting; 40% is community engagement work.

• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Familiarity with professional journalism best practices, including ethical reporting standards.
• Knowledge of fundamental reporting techniques and storytelling for both audio and digital platforms.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience working with digital publishing and social media platforms.
• Experience with field recording equipment, including recorders, microphones, headphones, and related accessories.
• Familiarity with digital audio editing software such as Adobe Audition and proficiency with standard word processing software.
• Photography skills and experience with broadcast automation systems are a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, take initiative, and thrive in a collaborative newsroom environment.
• Commitment to producing accurate, engaging, original, community-focused journalism.
• Must be based in or willing to work from IPR's Interlochen newsroom.

Application Materials Required:

• Resume
• Cover Letter