Education Reporter

About the role

The Education Beat Reporter position at 90.5 WESA, Pittsburgh's NPR News Station, aims to cover one of the region's most important beats—education—in Western Pennsylvania. This role requires a journalist who thrives on breaking news, digs into complex issues, and believes that great reporting can help communities better understand themselves.

What You'll Cover

• Breaking news and daily developments affecting schools and students.
• School boards, district leadership, and education policy.
• State and federal legislation affecting education funding and operations.
• Charter schools, vouchers, school closures, and achievement gaps.
• Accountability reporting that examines whether public institutions are delivering on their commitments.
• The real-life impact of education decisions through the voices of students, families, educators, and communities.

What You'll Do

• Report, write, produce, and edit stories for radio, digital, and social platforms.
• Deliver accurate, engaging spot news under tight deadlines.
• Develop enterprise, investigative, and explanatory journalism.
• Gather compelling field audio, photos, and video.
• Pitch original story ideas that deepen our audience's understanding of education.
• Build trusted relationships with students, families, educators, policymakers, and community leaders.
• Collaborate across our newsroom on major projects and special coverage.
• Represent WESA at community events and public appearances.
• Participate in station fundraising efforts that support our public service mission.

Who You Are

• Curious, collaborative, and passionate about public service journalism.
• Knows how to balance urgency with depth and understands that the best stories begin with listening.
• Thrives in a role that combines breaking news with long-form enterprise reporting.
• Writes with clarity, accuracy, fairness, and empathy.
• Enjoys making complicated topics understandable.
• Has strong news judgment and impeccable journalistic ethics.
• Is energized by building sources and uncovering stories others miss.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in journalism or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Three or more years of professional newsroom reporting experience.
• Excellent writing, reporting, interviewing, and multimedia storytelling skills.
• Ability to gather and edit audio for broadcast.
• Experience with photography and video production is helpful.
• Willingness to work occasional evenings, weekends, and breaking news situations.
• A commitment to ethical journalism, collaboration, and public service.

About WESA

90.5 WESA is Pittsburgh's NPR News Station and home to one of the region's most ambitious local newsrooms. We produce trusted journalism across broadcast, digital, newsletters, podcasts, and live events, serving audiences throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania. Our newsroom values curiosity, accountability, collaboration, innovation, and journalism that helps our community better understand itself.

About Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting

Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting is home to 90.5 WESA and 91.3 WYEP, serving Southwestern Pennsylvania through award-winning journalism, exceptional music programming, digital storytelling, and community engagement. At Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting, we're passionate about the work we do and the impact it has on our community. We foster a collaborative, supportive culture where ideas are welcomed, leaders are approachable, and teamwork is part of our everyday experience. We believe people do their best work when they have the flexibility to balance their professional and personal lives, and we embrace that philosophy by creating an environment built on trust, respect, and accountability.

About the Position

• Competitive salary starting at a minimum $51,000, based on experience.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match.
• Three weeks of paid vacation.
• Paid sick leave and company holidays.
• Twelve weeks of paid parental leave.
• Professional development support, including conferences, training, and continuing education.
• The opportunity to do meaningful journalism that makes a difference.

Standard Business Hours

Standard business hours are 9:00-5:00 Monday through Friday, with occasional evening or weekend work.

Our Commitment

Pittsburgh Community Broadcasting is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive, equitable, diverse workplace where all employees feel welcomed, respected, and empowered to succeed. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.