Metro East Reporter

St. Louis Public Radio (STLPR), a multimedia nonprofit journalism organization and NPR member station, seeks a general assignment reporter to cover the Metro East region of St. Louis. We’re looking for someone who knows the Metro East—or is eager to become deeply rooted in it. This role is ideal for a reporter who appreciates the region’s history, understands its communities, and wants to tell stories that reflect the people who live there.

About the role

The Metro East reporter will cover a large geographic area that includes several Illinois counties, such as St. Clair, Madison, Monroe, and others, as well as surrounding communities throughout southwestern Illinois. The beat includes fast-growing suburbs, historic river towns, local governments, schools, businesses, and the political topics and figures shaping policy in the region.

You’ll join an award-winning newsroom that covers communities across the bistate St. Louis region, in Rolla, Missouri, and in Quincy, Illinois. STLPR champions reporting that provides context, understanding, and reflects diverse voices and perspectives. Our reporters regularly have stories featured by NPR, Marketplace, and other nationally syndicated programs.

The position is based in Illinois, with the reporter splitting time between an office in the Metro East and our main newsroom in St. Louis. The ability to work independently while collaborating closely with editors and colleagues is essential. Radio experience is a plus but not required; we prioritize strong journalism skills and a passion for local reporting.

Responsibilities

• Research, report, and produce stories and interviews for radio, digital, and other platforms serving audiences across the St. Louis region.
• Write, voice, produce, and edit audio features for broadcast, digital, and on-demand listening.
• Build and maintain a robust network of sources throughout the Metro East to break news, identify enterprise stories, and deepen community connections.
• Cover local governments, public meetings, and other institutions while holding decision-makers accountable.
• Balance daily news coverage with ambitious enterprise reporting, meeting deadlines across multiple platforms.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least 3 years of comparable journalism experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience thinking creatively about storytelling for audio and digital platforms.
• Solid writing skills and familiarity with AP style.
• Experience reporting in the Metro East (preferred).
• Audio reporting experience (preferred).

Pay

$55,000 - $68,000 annually.

Schedule

40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, with occasional on-call scheduling.

Benefits

This position is eligible for University benefits, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Retirement benefits.
• Paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, and paid caregiver leave.
• Educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses.