Full-time reporter: $37,440 salary/based on experience plus employer-paid health and dental benefits. Generous paid time off.
Street Roots is hiring a full-time reporter/assistant editor who wants to apply their talents to the world of nonprofit, advocacy journalism for a weekly newspaper. Street Roots is currently a bi- weekly publication. Street Roots anticipates going to a weekly publication schedule in the near future. This position will fill out our editorial staffing to make that possible.
Description: This is a full-time reporter position based in Portland, Oregon. This is not a position for activists interested in trying their hand at writing, but for journalists serious about covering difficult and complex issues.
Areas of coverage include poverty and homelessness, health care, immigration issues, local, state and federal policy, personalities and culture. Assignments will be long-term or short-term projects, typically ranging from a week or less turnaround for news pieces, with some larger projects taking weeks to develop. This reporter should expect to have at least one story in every edition of the paper.
This person will report to the managing editor and work with the entire staff in securing sources, understanding the issues and developing appropriate story ideas. The Street Roots’ news team includes several freelance reporters and professional photographers who will also be contributing content. As an organization, Street Roots values personal and professional development.
Qualifications:
- Four or more years experience writing professional journalism, both in breaking news and enterprise projects
Ability to work under deadline pressure, producing at least one story in each edition
- Skill in generating story ideas with unique angles
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Able to develop and maintain sources across a variety of political and social backgrounds
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Able to investigate issues beyond the official line, and write engaging and compelling articles in ways not covered in mainstream newspapers.
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Versatility in covering a range of issues related to social and economic justice, with an understanding of the dynamics of poverty and homelessness
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Proficient with social media and basic website interaction
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Attend regular staff and editorial committee meetings
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Understanding of nonprofit status and advocacy roles within organization
Additional Qualifications: Street Roots is a small staff with multiple responsibilities. Depending on the candidates, this position could be expanded to include managing some content and design responsibilities. If appropriate, this would include coordinating columnists and other writers on projects as needed, and some pagination using InDesign.
About us: Street Roots is a 501 ©3 organization. Street Roots creates income opportunities for people experiencing homelessness and poverty by producing a newspaper and other media that are catalysts for individual and social change. We are an award-winning newspaper, currently publishing more than 11,000 papers every two weeks for circulation in Portland, Oregon. Street Roots is sold on the streets by people experiencing homelessness and poverty.
Street Roots is a member of the International Network of Street Papers. As such, we share content through the Street News Service, allowing work from Street Roots to reach a wider audience in major cities across the United States and the world.
How to apply: Please send your resume and three samples of your work Managing Editor Joanne Zuhl at joanne@streetroots.org. Please label your e-mail in the subject line: “weekly reporter.” Closing date for accepting resumes is Sept. 29.
Street Roots is an equal opportunity program and does not discriminate in employment or the provision of public services on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, political affiliation or belief.
Street Roots Mission: Street Roots is a nonprofit newspaper assisting people experiencing homelessness and poverty by creating flexible income opportunities. Through education, advocacy and personal expression, we are a catalyst for individual and social change.