Reporter, Health

WFYI is a nonprofit organization that, for more than 50 years, has been providing trusted journalism, inspiring stories, and lifelong learning to Central Indiana with a vision of an informed, inspired, and inclusive Indiana.

About the role

WFYI Public Media seeks an experienced health reporter to contribute to its mission by producing accurate, fair, independent, and accessible journalism that helps audiences understand the health issues shaping communities across Central Indiana and statewide. Through daily, enterprise, and investigative stories centered on people, this position strengthens public understanding, supports informed civic participation, and connects local audiences to journalism that is relevant, useful, and accountable.

WFYI’s health reporter will tell the stories of people and families navigating Indiana’s health care system and explore how decisions made by hospitals, insurers, agencies, and legislators shape access to care and health outcomes in communities throughout the state. Coverage may include persistent health disparities along racial and economic lines, Indiana's Medicaid system and its impact on low-income residents, maternal and infant mortality, mental health and substance use, access to care in underserved urban and rural communities, and the effect of state and federal policy on reproductive health.

Ideal candidates will be comfortable moving between breaking news and months-long investigations. They will be able to produce in-depth digital articles, sound-rich audio features, daily stories for the web and newscasts, and video for social and television platforms. They will have demonstrated experience reporting what policy decisions mean for individuals, families, and communities navigating the consequences. The assigned beat reflected in this job description is subject to change based on organizational needs.

Responsibilities

• Identify and pitch stories while working with the editorial leadership team to develop and report original stories that feature individuals with lived experience.
• Use clear and concise writing to explain complex topics and their significance.
• Report, write, and present breaking news, features, enterprise, and investigative stories as assigned.
• Adapt reporting focus, source development, and story planning as assigned when WFYI adjusts beats or coverage priorities to meet audience, editorial, staffing, or organizational needs.
• Build and maintain a large network of sources.
• Conduct thorough research and newsgathering, including capturing audio, video, photos, and supporting materials to enhance the depth and quality of coverage.
• Collaborate with the digital team to produce engaging content tailored for broadcast, digital, and social media platforms.
• Meet deadlines and follow WFYI’s editorial standards for accuracy, fairness, independence, clarity, and ethical journalism.
• Make regular appearances across media platforms, including broadcasts, social media, podcasts, and community events.
• Work with staff throughout WFYI to discover new stories and angles that ensure we are reporting for communities, not on communities.
• Develop reporting that serves audiences locally, statewide, and through regional or national public media distribution.
• Actively participate in editorial meetings and planning sessions and collaborate with editors and content teams to shape story direction, strengthen reporting, and uphold journalistic standards.
• Contribute to the planning and execution of special coverage, including legislative sessions, elections, breaking news, and public forums.
• Collaborate with editors, producers, reporters, and other colleagues to adapt reporting for multiple platforms and support coordinated coverage priorities.
• Perform other duties as assigned, including duties that may not be specifically listed herein but are consistent with the nature of the position and WFYI’s operational needs.
• Demonstrate an ongoing commitment to WFYI’s mission and to public media, journalism, education, and community engagement.
• Provide backup support across functions or positions as needed based on staffing, workload, expertise, and organizational needs.

Requirements

This position is based primarily at WFYI’s main office in Indianapolis, Indiana. Occasional travel and work outside regular business hours, including evenings, weekends, or holidays, may be required to support WFYI’s organizational needs and priorities. WFYI’s regular business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern.

A valid driver’s license, a satisfactory motor vehicle record, and eligibility under WFYI’s insurance requirements to drive WFYI vehicles may be required.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, or a closely related field; equivalent relevant experience may substitute for some or all of the formal education requirement.
• Experience: At least three years of reporting or other relevant journalism experience, which includes:
  • Applying AP Style in journalism or newsroom writing.
  • Using sound news judgment to cover breaking stories while managing longer-term projects, including in-depth continuing coverage or investigations.
  • Translating complex policies, financial data, or other technical information into clear, accessible reporting.
  • Developing sources, building a reporting specialization, and identifying meaningful story ideas.
  • Working collaboratively in a newsroom or similar editorial environment while managing assignments with a high level of personal motivation.
  • Collaborating with editors, producers, reporters, partner media organizations, and other public media collaborators.
  • Incorporating data and public records into reporting.
  • Using a range of sources, contacts, data, public records, audience insights, and community perspectives to inform reporting and strengthen audience connection.
• Preferred Experience:
  • Health policy reporting.
  • Producing journalism for digital, audio, broadcast, social media, video, photography, or other public media platforms.
  • Using audience insights and community perspectives to inform reporting and strengthen audience connection.
  • Building collaborative relationships with partner organizations.
• Technical Skills:
  • Minimum: Working knowledge of office, communication, and digital production tools sufficient to support reporting, collaboration, research, writing, editing, and content production.
  • Preferred: Experience with digital reporting, content management, audio editing, video, photography, data reporting, and social media production tools.

Physical Demands

• Ability to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and in writing.
• Ability to lift, kneel, carry, and position equipment or other items weighing up to 25 pounds on an occasional basis.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment, including computers, phones, printers, and copiers.
• Ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods and move throughout the workday as needed.