General Assignment Reporter

InMaricopa & InBuckeye; Maricopa (AZ); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sick Time

Paid Holidays

401(k)

Paid time off

Wellness resources

Job summary

InMaricopa is seeking a curious, versatile journalist to cover people, issues and events shaping Maricopa and Buckeye. This on-site reporting position requires attending meetings, reporting from the field, and photography assignments across Maricopa and Buckeye.

You will report on local government, public safety, business, education, growth, transportation, community events, and the people of the two communities.

Qualifications

• Strong reporting, interviewing and writing skills.
• Excellent photography skills with strong composition, lighting and storytelling.
• Ability to work independently in the field and make sound news judgments.
• Comfort covering everything from city council meetings to breaking news and local business openings.
• Strong command of AP style and attention to detail.
• Ability to juggle multiple assignments and deadlines.
• Willingness to work on-site and travel throughout Maricopa and Buckeye for assignments.
• Journalism experience preferred; recent journalism graduates are welcome to apply.
• Familiarity with digital publishing, social media and photo-editing software is a plus.
• Video/multimedia experience is a plus.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.

Responsibilities

• Report and write accurate, engaging stories across a broad range of beats.
• Attend city council meetings, public meetings, press conferences, community events and other assignments in person.
• Develop sources and generate original story ideas.
• Conduct interviews, review public records and provide context and accountability.
• Respond to breaking news and developing stories from the scene when needed.
• Take strong, publication-quality photographs as part of your reporting.
• Produce photo galleries and other visual storytelling when appropriate.
• Contribute to digital and social content as needed.
• Meet deadlines and manage multiple assignments independently.
• Work collaboratively with editors and other members of the newsroom.

Skills

Reporting

Interviews

Writing

Photography

AP style

Social media familiarity

Photo editing

Video/multimedia experience

Tools

Photo editing software

Video editing tools

Job description

Benefits:

• Sick Time
• Paid Holidays
• 401(k)
• Paid time off
• Wellness resources

InMaricopa is looking for a curious, versatile journalist who can cover the people, issues and events shaping Maricopa and Buckeye.

This is an on-site reporting position based in our offices in Maricopa and Buckeye. The nature of local journalism means reporters need to be available to report from the field, attend meetings and events, respond to breaking news and photograph assignments as they happen. This is not a primarily remote position.

The ideal candidate is a strong general assignment reporter with excellent photography skills and the curiosity to find stories beyond the obvious.

What you’ll cover

You’ll report on a wide range of topics, including:

• Local government and politics
• Public safety
• Business and economic development
• Education
• Growth and development
• Transportation and infrastructure
• Community events and issues
• The people and personalities of Maricopa and Buckeye

What you’ll do

• Report and write accurate, engaging stories across a broad range of beats.
• Attend city council meetings, public meetings, press conferences, community events and other assignments in person.
• Develop sources and generate original story ideas.
• Conduct interviews, review public records and provide context and accountability.
• Respond to breaking news and developing stories from the scene when needed.
• Take strong, publication-quality photographs as part of your reporting.
• Produce photo galleries and other visual storytelling when appropriate.
• Contribute to digital and social content as needed.
• Meet deadlines and manage multiple assignments independently.
• Work collaboratively with editors and other members of the newsroom.

Photography matters

Photography is an important part of this position, not an afterthought.

We’re looking for a reporter who can see the picture while they’re reporting the story. You should be comfortable composing photographs in the field, working with available light and capturing compelling images that add something meaningful to the journalism.

You should be able to independently photograph assignments and produce publication-ready images.

Video and multimedia experience is a plus, but excellent photography and reporting are the priorities.

What we’re looking for

• Strong reporting, interviewing and writing skills.
• Excellent photography skills and a strong understanding of composition, lighting and visual storytelling.
• Ability to work independently in the field and make sound news judgments.
• Comfort covering everything from a city council meeting to a breaking-news scene to a local business opening.
• Strong command of AP style and attention to detail.
• Ability to juggle multiple assignments and deadlines.
• Willingness to work on-site and travel throughout Maricopa and Buckeye for assignments.
• Journalism experience preferred; recent journalism graduates are welcome to apply.
• Familiarity with digital publishing, social media and photo-editing software is a plus.
• Video/multimedia experience is a plus.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.

We’re looking for someone who is curious enough to find the story, persistent enough to report it and visually minded enough to show readers why it matters.

If you’re the kind of reporter who wants to get out of the office, talk to people, chase stories and be where the news is happening, we’d like to hear from you.

Why InMaricopa?

InMaricopa’s mission is to inform readers/viewers and enrich advertisers. Your role as advertising professional is critical to our ability to accomplish the latter. We take great pride in the positive impact we make on the (business) community.

We are the leader in the 90,000-person Maricopa market. We have 75,000-plus organic social media followers, a 20-year track record and stable of both print and digital products to serve our readers and advertisers. Our content is hyperlocal and hyperfocused.