Agriculture/Environmental Reporter
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Agriculture/Environmental Reporter
Illinois Public Media
Illinois Public Media (IPM) is accepting applications for a Agriculture/Environmental Reporter. The Agriculture/Environmental Reporter will lead Illinois Public Media’s in-depth coverage of agricultural and environmental issues affecting central Illinois with audio-rich stories accompanied by engaging digital content. This journalist will also work with videographers to bring audio rich stories to video for an annual environmental TV special and social media posts. This reporter will work with Harvest Public Media’s editorial team to produce ambitious reporting on the environment, the food production industry and rural issues that resonate across the Midwest. This reporter will also general assignment report or back-fill as a newscast hosting regularly. This is a grant-funded, limited-duration position (up to two years). This is an ideal position for early career audio journalists. This is NOT a remote position.Duties & Responsibilities
- Build a robust and diverse network of sources to help inform coverage and break new ground in reporting.
- Foster community discussion around environmental, climate and agricultural issues that are impacting the region.
- Write and produce weekly radio newscast spots and web posts.
- Work with a videographer to write, edit, and produce video features.
- Identify relevant agriculture and environmental stories, put them into context and explain them in an engaging manner in audio-rich features and digital stories.
- On Sunday between 7:00 a.m.-noon, deliver a professional on-air presentation and operate the control board when anchoring live newscasts. Back-fill on other newscasts as needed. Participate in pledge fund drives and marking activities as assigned on behalf of Illinois Public Media.
Required Qualifications
Any one or any combination totaling three (3) years (36 months) of the following types of preparation:
A.) progressively more responsible work experience in the production and presentation of radio or television programs, social media, and/or print or online journalism.
B.) vocational training in radio and/or television production, journalism, social media, news or feature writing and/or announcing or closely related fields.
C.) college course work in radio/television, journalism, social media, news or feature writing or closely related fields.
- 60 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months)
- 75 semester hours equals one (1) year and six (6) months (18 months)
- 90-semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months)
- 120 semester hours or a Bachelor’s degree equals three (3) years (36 months)
Preferred Qualifications
- Current and valid United States Driver’s License
- Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, broadcasting or related field.
- At least 2 years on-air radio or TV reporting, preferably in public media.
- Experience with broadcast script writing, including production instructions.
- Experience with CMS and/or web writing.
- Experience with voice-delivery training.
- Experience editing with Adobe Audition.
- Experience editing a website CMS.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Extensive knowledge of local, regional and national current events and issues
- Extensive knowledge of the concerns of agricultural and rural issues
- Ability to interact effectively with people from all walks of life
- Ability to speak languages other than English
- Familiarity with libel rules, social media policies and best practices and code of ethics adopted by Illinois Public Media, outlined here: https://shorturl.at/6rCdj
- Experience with Microsoft Office software (Outlook, Word, etc.)
Appointment Information
This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 4521 - Media Writer/Producer/Announcer I position. This is a grant-funded, limited-duration position (up to two years). The expected start date is as soon as possible after the close of the search. The budgeted salary range for this position is $45,000-$50,000. We strive to provide a competitive salary, considering factors such as available market data, internal equity, candidate experience and qualifications, collective bargaining agreements, and budget constraints. The final salary offer will be determined through a thorough assessment of these elements.
Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position.
For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx.
Application Procedures & Deadline Information
Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on December 8, 2025. Apply for this position using the Apply Now button at the top or bottom of this posting. For full consideration, application materials should include the following-
- Cover letter.
- Current resume (including month/year employment dates).
- Contact information for three professional references.
- Applicants should submit 3 links to stories they've produced. (Preferably 2 quick turn spots and 1 feature.)
Please ensure your resume highlights your qualifications/experience for this position. This may include professional, academic, volunteer, or other applicable experience that aligns with the responsibilities of this role. Applications not submitted through https://jobs.illinois.edu will not be considered. In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment.For further information about this specific position, please contact Jennifer Steiling at steiling@illinois.edu.
For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.
This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.
Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu.
Requisition ID: 1033638
Job Category: Technical
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu