Energy & Government Beat Reporter

Forum Communications Company; Bismarck (ND); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision packages

Paid maternity and parental leave

Company-paid short-term disability and

life insurance

Critical illness coverage

Retirement benefits with company match

Generous PTO and paid volunteer hours

Job summary

Forum Communications Company seeks a multimedia reporter to cover North Dakota's oil and energy industry and its wide-ranging impact. Ideally based in Bismarck, the reporter will produce timely, authoritative stories for digital, print, and broadcast platforms and will travel to Bakken sites and western communities.

The role includes gathering video content, reporting on state government and legislative developments, and contributing general Bismarck news across FCC networks.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience explaining complex subjects in accessible language.
• Experience using public records and data in reporting.
• Ability to produce multimedia journalism across platforms.
• Willingness to travel regularly throughout western North Dakota.

Responsibilities

• Cover North Dakota’s oil and gas industry, including production, exploration, transportation, refining and emerging technologies.
• Travel regularly throughout western North Dakota to report from energy sites, communities, public meetings and breaking-news scenes.
• Monitor state and federal energy policy, regulation, taxation and legislation, explaining how decisions affect the industry and residents.
• Contribute general Bismarck news coverage for Forum Communications audiences across the state and region.
• Provide additional coverage of the Legislature during sessions, including significant bills and debates.
• Report on the economic impact of energy development—state revenue, local government finances, employment, housing and business growth.
• Examine environmental and land-use issues such as water use, spills, emissions and pipelines.
• Tell the stories of people affected by the energy industry, including workers and landowners.
• Cover breaking news involving industrial accidents, spills, regulatory actions and government developments.
• Develop enterprise and accountability reporting beyond announcements and news releases.
• Use public records and data to identify trends and hold institutions accountable.

Skills

Strong news judgment

Explain technical topics clearly

Travel willingness

Independent yet collaborative

On-camera comfort

Education

Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications or related field

Job description

Forum Communications Company seeks a multimedia reporter to cover North Dakota's oil and energy industry and its wide-ranging impact. Ideally based in Bismarck, the reporter will produce timely, authoritative stories for digital, print, and broadcast platforms and will travel to Bakken sites and western communities.

The role includes gathering video content, reporting on state government and legislative developments, and contributing general Bismarck news across FCC networks.