What are the responsibilities and job description for the Investigative Reporter/Producer position at WTAE Hearst Pittsburgh?
Job Description
Investigative Reporter / Producer
WTAE-TV, the ABC affiliate in Pittsburgh, is looking for an Investigative Reporter / Producer who can lead impactful investigative journalism in an award-winning newsroom. This is a high-profile, enterprise role focused on uncovering consumer issues, exposing wrongdoing, holding institutions accountable, and producing compelling special projects that make a real difference in our community.
We are looking for a journalist who thrives on digging deeper, asking tough questions, and creating meaningful, promotable storytelling across broadcast, digital, streaming, and social platforms. The ideal candidate is equally strong as a reporter and producer — someone who can originate investigations, collaborate across departments, and help execute stories weekly from concept to completion.
This role requires a self-starter who can develop exclusive content, cultivate sources, manage multiple projects, and produce stories that lead newscasts and drive audience engagement. The right applicant should have a portfolio of journalism that leads to change, conversation, and community impact.
The Investigative Reporter / Producer will report to the Assistant News Director and work closely with newsroom leadership, producers, digital teams, and photojournalists.
Responsibilities
At Hearst Television we tell stories every day. Stories about people of all backgrounds, perspectives, and identities. That’s why, behind the scenes, we believe in being an organization that fosters collaboration and open communication, ensuring that the content we create is authentic, accurate, and connected to the communities we serve.
Benefits
Hearst's benefit programs are modern, flexible and designed to focus on you. As a Hearst employee, you and your spouse or partner or dependents would have access to the following benefits.
Hearst Television (HTV) owns and/or operates 35 television and two radio stations serving 27 media markets across 39 states reaching over 22 million U.S. television households. HTV is recognized as one of the industry's premier broadcasting companies and has been honored with numerous awards for distinguished journalism, industry innovation, and community service.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. we do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, creed, national, origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
Investigative Reporter / Producer
WTAE-TV, the ABC affiliate in Pittsburgh, is looking for an Investigative Reporter / Producer who can lead impactful investigative journalism in an award-winning newsroom. This is a high-profile, enterprise role focused on uncovering consumer issues, exposing wrongdoing, holding institutions accountable, and producing compelling special projects that make a real difference in our community.
We are looking for a journalist who thrives on digging deeper, asking tough questions, and creating meaningful, promotable storytelling across broadcast, digital, streaming, and social platforms. The ideal candidate is equally strong as a reporter and producer — someone who can originate investigations, collaborate across departments, and help execute stories weekly from concept to completion.
This role requires a self-starter who can develop exclusive content, cultivate sources, manage multiple projects, and produce stories that lead newscasts and drive audience engagement. The right applicant should have a portfolio of journalism that leads to change, conversation, and community impact.
The Investigative Reporter / Producer will report to the Assistant News Director and work closely with newsroom leadership, producers, digital teams, and photojournalists.
Responsibilities
- Develop and report original investigative and consumer-focused stories that uncover scams, systemic failures, public accountability concerns, and issues affecting viewers’ daily lives
- Generate strong enterprise story ideas and pursue stories that go beyond surface-level reporting
- Conduct informed interviews, build trusted sources, and break exclusive stories
- Plan, gather, write, and assemble stories for daily news coverage and long-form investigative projects
- Respond to breaking news with investigative angles and deeper context
- Build compelling live shots and deliver clear, engaging storytelling on-air and across platforms
- Work independently or collaboratively with photographers to gather and edit compelling video and sound
- Pitch, research, write, and produce investigative specials and long-form storytelling initiatives
- Maintain and manage a calendar of special projects, follow-ups, and ongoing investigations
- Collaborate with newsroom leadership, producers, promotions, legal, and digital teams to maximize story impact and audience reach
- Review scripts, teases, and story elements to ensure strong editorial standards and compelling presentation
- Produce content for broadcast, streaming, digital, and social platforms
- Contribute real-time updates, explainers, and follow-ups across mobile and social channels
- Work closely with reporters, producers, photojournalists, and digital staff on investigative initiatives
- Communicate effectively across departments while managing multiple deadlines and priorities
- Demonstrate sound editorial judgment, strong ethics, and unwavering journalistic integrity
- Professional reporting and/or producing experience
- Strong investigative, enterprise, and accountability journalism instincts
- Proven ability to develop original story ideas and uncover meaningful details
- A demo reel and/or digital portfolio that reflect everyday work and impactful storytelling
- Strong writing skills with the ability to simplify complex information into compelling, easy-to-understand content
- Knowledge of media law, public records requests, and investigative research techniques
- Excellent organizational, communication, and time management skills
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously under tight deadlines
- Experience using modern field technology, editing systems, and mobile workflows
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced newsroom environment
- Strong visual storytelling and creative presentation skills
- Ability to work varied shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed
- Valid driver’s license and clear driving record
- Related military experience will be considered
At Hearst Television we tell stories every day. Stories about people of all backgrounds, perspectives, and identities. That’s why, behind the scenes, we believe in being an organization that fosters collaboration and open communication, ensuring that the content we create is authentic, accurate, and connected to the communities we serve.
Benefits
Hearst's benefit programs are modern, flexible and designed to focus on you. As a Hearst employee, you and your spouse or partner or dependents would have access to the following benefits.
- Medical | Dental | Vision
- 401(k) matching
- Emotional Wellness Support
- Paid Time Off
- Paid Parental Leave
- LGBTQ Health Services
- Additional benefits to meet your and your family's needs
Hearst Television (HTV) owns and/or operates 35 television and two radio stations serving 27 media markets across 39 states reaching over 22 million U.S. television households. HTV is recognized as one of the industry's premier broadcasting companies and has been honored with numerous awards for distinguished journalism, industry innovation, and community service.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. we do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, creed, national, origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.