Features Writer

About Chicago Public Media

Home to WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Public Media is the largest local non-profit news organization in the country. WBEZ and the Chicago Sun-Times serve more than 2 million people weekly across broadcast, print, and digital platforms. As a mission-driven organization, we aspire to become the essential and most trusted news source that Chicago turns to each day for understanding the people, events, and ideas that shape our community.

WBEZ is home to local and national news programming as well as a growing portfolio of popular podcasts. WBEZ serves the community with fact-based, objective news and information, and its award-winning journalists ask tough questions, dig deep for answers and expose truths that spark change and foster understanding. WBEZ is supported by more than 86,000 members, hundreds of corporate sponsors and major donors. In 2022, WBEZ received more than 20 awards for its journalism, including two prestigious National Edward R. Murrow Awards.

Chicago Sun-Times is Chicago's oldest continuously published daily newspaper serving Chicago and is known for its hard-hitting investigative reporting, in-depth political coverage, timely behind-the-scenes sports analysis, and insightful entertainment and cultural coverage. Chicago Sun-Times is the winner of eight Pulitzer Prizes and countless other awards. In recent years, the Sun-Times has focused on a digital transformation to deliver its news and content to a growing digital audience. Most recently, the Sun-Times dropped the paywall on suntimes.com to expand access to its journalism, and shifted to a community-funded digital membership program supported by voluntary member donations.

Chicago Public Media believes independent journalism is essential to a well-functioning democracy and access to fact-based, objective news and information is a right of every citizen. We serve the public interest by creating diverse, compelling content that informs, inspires, and enriches. We connect diverse audiences and help them make a difference in the community, the region and the world. And, we employ 300+ staff who want to belong to an organization that inspires, supports, and challenges them to do their best work.

For more information, please see the Chicago Public Media Annual Report .

The Opportunity

We believe independent journalism is essential to a well-functioning democracy and access to fact-based, objective news and information is a right. We serve the public interest by creating diverse, compelling content that informs, inspires, delights, and enriches.

The Chicago Sun-Times is seeking an experienced Features Reporter to join our growing newsroom. The Features Reporter will provide breaking and trending news and feature coverage about the Chicago area cultural scene, including music, theater, TV, music, family fun, and art. The ideal candidate will be someone who can quickly gather facts about new developments, find and profile innovative, creative people, and write about artistic works with a sense of their big-picture context. You may also be asked to provide multimedia elements for the stories you report.

Responsibilities

• Producing factually accurate and original stories
• Provide breaking and trending news and feature coverage, as well as in-depth pieces on a variety of topics, including culture and lifestyle trends
• Report clearly, accurately, and fairly to deliver fully sourced news stories on tight deadlines
• Observe Chicago culture for interesting people, creations, and trends
• Work collaboratively with editors and other reporters

Qualifications

• A minimum of three years of professional reporting experience with published works in a daily newspaper, a magazine, or a news website. Previous cultural and/or entertainment coverage is a plus.
• Bachelor's degree - or equivalent professional experience - in journalism, communications, entertainment, or a related field.
• Track record of producing factually accurate and original stories. Please submit clips via links in your resume or cover letter.
• Ability to juggle multiple stories, delivering quick-turnaround dailies while working on longer-term pieces.
• Some scheduling flexibility is required, including the ability to work nights, weekends, and some holidays.

Working at Chicago Public Media

At Chicago Public Media, we care deeply about our employees as we know attracting, developing, and growing talent is key to our success and enhancing our impact. Our culture is one where collaboration, ideas, and innovation are encouraged. We value colleagues who will enhance our culture by bringing new ideas, diverse experiences, and talents to our dynamic workplace.

Chicago Public Media's dedication to promoting diversity and inclusion is reflective across our brands, WBEZ 91.5 FM, Chicago Sun-Times, and Vocalo 91.1 FM, in our staff and in our work. We are fully focused on equality of opportunity and believe deeply in diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin, experience, and all other fascinating characteristics that make us different.

At Chicago Public Media we believe dedication to a great workplace includes supporting our employees and their families. As a result, we provide a broad and generous benefits package for you at hire and in the years to come.

Our benefits include:

• 6 weeks fully paid family leave
• High quality Medical, Dental, and Vision plans at an affordable cost
• A 403(b)retirement plan with a company match
• Generous paid time off, including starting with 3 weeks' vacation and 4 personal days.

The essential functions described above are not all-inclusive and may change periodically to meet the needs of Chicago Public Media (CPM). The information contained in this job description is not intended to create any contractual or other legal commitment. Chicago Public Media may change the content or format of this job at any time in its sole and exclusive discretion without notice.

Chicago Public Media is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we actively seek and welcome people from all backgrounds, orientations, and life experiences to join our team.