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WGLT Economy & Business Reporter

University/Agency Illinois State University
Civil Service Classification Program Assistant
View Class Spec Details
Posting Duration 7/7/2026 - 7/26/2026
Probationary Period 12 months

Job Description

WGLT’s Economy & Business reporter produces on-air and online content that helps our audiences better understand the Bloomington-Normal area economy and make better decisions about their personal life and/or business. This reporter should strive to “own” this beat and regularly break stories first. The position will also be responsible for managing products related to the Economy & Business beat, including a newsletter.

Additional Information
WGLT is Bloomington-Normal’s Public Media and part of the NPR Network, serving a mix of users who listen, read and watch. WGLT is based at Illinois State University and, through a partnership with Bradley University, also operates WCBU in Peoria. WGLT is a member of the Institute for Nonprofit News.


University Benefit Highlights:

- Insurance benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life
- Retirement and supplemental retirement planning options
- Tuition waiver benefits available to staff as well as their eligible dependents
- Paid holiday/administrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks
- Paid benefit time

Additional University Benefit information, including information regarding eligibility to participate in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program, can be reviewed here: https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/


Qualifications

Required Qualifications
1. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in journalism, mass media, communications, or related field.
2. One (1) year of news reporting experience.

Preferred Qualifications
1. Familiarity with public media and the NPR Network.
2. Knowledge of Central Illinois and statewide news issues and personalities.
3. Prior Economy & Business reporting experience or other background (such as college-level coursework) in economics, business administration or management, entrepreneurship or related fields.
4. Professional or student-media experience as a “beat” reporter, including source cultivation and story planning.
5. Professional or student-media experience with producing content for alternative formats, such as an email newsletter, vertical video or podcast.
6. Audio production and editing experience, such as Adobe Audition or similar software.
7. Ability to gather information through interviews and then write clear and concise stories to engage an audience.
8. Ability to provide summaries and overviews of issues and events as they develop in public discourse.
9. Ability to quickly absorb information and locate and synthesize disparate sources of data.
10. Knowledge of generally accepted journalistic standards of objectivity, fairness, and balance when editing own work and the work of others, as well as working knowledge of The Associated Press Stylebook.
11. Ability to balance competing priorities and work on tight daily deadlines and long-term projects with a high degree of accuracy.
12. Ability to comfortably interact with the general public.


Salary

$48,000-$52,000 annual


Links

ISU Jobs Website


Contact Information


University/Agency Illinois State University
Department/College Human Resources
Contact Breanna Crippen
Phone Number 309-438-8311
Address 718 W. College Avenue
Comments Special Instructions for Applicants
Please fully complete the entire application including, but not limited to, the education and work history portions. Be specific on your work history, including employment dates (if part-time you must list the number of work hours) and duties for all positions held. Applicable part-time work experience will be considered toward qualifying for this position; however, it will be converted to a full-time equivalency to determine combined length of experience. Please do not put "see resume" in the duties and responsibilities section of the work history. This will be considered an incomplete application and incomplete applications will not be considered.

College or university transcripts (may be unofficial) must be submitted prior to the application deadline to receive full consideration. Transcripts can either be uploaded with your application or submitted via the options listed below.

To be eligible for Veteran's Preference points on the exam, appropriate military service documentation such as a DD-214 must be submitted prior to the application deadline.

Transcripts and/or military service documentation may be faxed or mailed to Human Resources by the application deadline:

Fax: 309.438.0011, Attn: Breanna Crippen
Address: Illinois State University
Human Resources
Campus Box 1300
Normal, IL 61790-1300

The Civil Service examination for this classification is based on your application materials and responses to the supplemental questions. No participation other than submission of applicant materials is required from applicants that qualify to take the exam. If you meet the minimum required qualifications for this position, you will receive a score calculated based on your education and experience, and your name will be placed on the active employment register by exam score. After the application deadline, the names within the top three scores will be referred to the department for interview. The active register for this classification will be voided when the position is filled.

Illinois State University is authorized to do business within the State of Illinois. All work under this appointment is required to be performed from within the State of Illinois. If hired, out-of-state candidates must establish Illinois residency within 180 calendar days from the start date for this position. Illinois residency requires proof of a valid Illinois driver’s license or a valid State of Illinois ID card. Failure to produce the required documentation within 180 calendar days will result in immediate termination of employment.

Applicants for this position must be currently legally authorized to work for Illinois State University in the United States. Illinois State University will not sponsor or take over the sponsorship of an employment visa for this opportunity. Illinois State University is not a qualifying employer for the STEM OPT benefit: only the 12-month OPT may be used to work at Illin