Journalism Apprentice - Pittsburgh Media Partnership Newsroom

EmergencyMD; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Pittsburgh Media Partnership in Downtown Pittsburgh is seeking a Journalism Apprentice to focus on daily reporting with an emphasis on explaining the impact of issues for Southwestern Pennsylvania residents. The 12- to 24-month role is intended to help recent graduates launch a journalism career and develop a strong source network.

The apprentice will generate stories, pitch to editors, and produce accurate copy and multimedia content under deadline pressure, while collaborating with student

Qualifications

• Recent college graduate with reporting clips and newsroom experience.
• Ability to identify and develop stories beyond events/meetings.
• Proven self-starter with sourcing and deadline-driven reporting.

Responsibilities

• Develop and generate thoughtful, accurate, timely stories tied to the news cycle daily.
• Develop a rich source network within a defined beat.
• Pitch creative, timely stories to editor.
• Produce crisp, engaging copy, visuals and audio that meet newsroom standards.
• Ability and willingness to travel throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania for assignments.
• Mentor student journalists and support team collaboration.

Skills

Published clips

Sourcing

Story development

Beat development

Multimedia skills

Flexibility

Networking

Editorial collaboration

Deadlines

Creative thinking

Background check readiness

Local knowledge

Education

Recent college graduate

Job description

POSITION

Journalism Apprentice - Pittsburgh Media Partnership Newsroom

DEPARTMENT

Center for Media Innovation

REPORTS TO

Director, Pittsburgh Media Partnership & Assistant Director, Center for Media Innovation

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

A journalist who has a demonstrated passion for daily reporting and local news, who can develop sources, recognize news as it happens, meet deadlines, and adeptly navigate challenges to help deliver the news daily with an emphasis on explaining the impact of issues and decisions for residents of Southwestern Pennsylvania. This job is on site in Downtown Pittsburgh.

This is a 12- to 24-month role, intended to support recent graduates in developing a journalism career.

QUALIFICATIONS/KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Recent college graduate whose experience should demonstrate an ability to be employed as a reporter in newsroom, preferably covering government, education, or a combination.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and develop stories that do not involve covering events and meetings
• An ideas person with the ability to "think outside the box".
• A minimum of five written clips published by a news outlet and professional experience, including student media, demonstrating a depth and range of reporting
• Demonstrated self-starter who recognizes news as it happens and can develop story ideas
• Ability to quickly locate primary sources to report out stories on deadline
• Experience cultivating sources and developing relationships in a new beat area
• Creativity and sound judgement
• Willingness to work outside of regular business hours
• Multimedia experience creating videos and photographs
• Knowledge of southwestern Pennsylvania's political, social, and economic landscape preferred
• Two or more strong recommendations supporting the applicant
• Ability to pass a criminal background check for working with and alongside minors.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Develop and generate thoughtful, accurate, and timely stories tied to the news cycle daily
2. Develop a rich source network within a defined beat.
3. Pitch creative, timely stories to editor.
4. Produce crisp, engaging error‑free copy, visuals and audio that meets the newsroom's standards and guidelines
5. Ability and willingness to travel throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania for assignments, as needed
6. Team‑mind approach to reporting that encourages and supports others, including mentoring student journalists