NEWSPAPER REPORTER

Innofthemountaingods; Mescalero (NM); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A premier resort and casino in Mescalero seeks a Reporter to produce community-centered journalism for the Tribal Newspaper. Responsibilities include planning, reporting, and filing stories, conducting interviews, and ensuring cultural respect in reporting. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in Journalism/Communications, a strong reporting portfolio, and skills in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace. This role demands a commitment to accuracy, community engagement, and cultural competency, plus valid driver's license. Bilingual skills are preferred.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated reporting portfolio showing accuracy and community engagement.
• Cultural competency and knowledge of NAJA/IJA guidelines for reporting in Indian Country.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to obtain/maintain a gaming license if required.

Responsibilities

• Plan and file stories for a twice-monthly newspaper.
• Conduct interviews and attend public/tribal meetings.
• Fact-check and maintain an editorial calendar.

Skills

Clear writing

Community engagement

Journalistic integrity

Proficiency with Microsoft Office

Bilingual (English/Spanish or Apache)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Journalism/Communications or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

Inn of the Mountain Gods
287 Carizzo Canyon Rd
Mescalero, NM 88340, USA

Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort and Casino

Summary

Under the direction of the Casino Advertising Marketing Manager, the Reporter produces original, accurate, and community‑centered journalism for the Mescalero Apache Tribal Newspaper. The Reporter develops story ideas, reports across assigned beats, files clean, on‑deadline copy for our twice‑monthly print edition, and ensures culturally respectful coverage aligned with Indigenous reporting best practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, report, write, and file stories to deadline for a twice‑monthly, 8‑page newspaper (14×22 in, 6 columns).
• Own coverage beats (tribal governance, education, culture/language, health, youth/elders, public safety, economic development).
• Conduct interviews, gather documents and data, and attend public/tribal meetings and community events as assigned.
• Shoot basic photos and captions; coordinate art needs and page placement with the Administrative & Layout Coordinator.
• Fact‑check rigorously; follow AP Style and IMG brand standards; promptly correct inaccuracies.
• Maintain an editorial calendar and source lists; log contacts and releases; uphold privacy and cultural protocols.
• Contribute briefs and community notes; support web/social posting as needed (phase 2).
• Demonstrated commitment to researching and implementing new technologies, including artificial intelligence, to enhance the operations of Marketing.
• Other duties as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Journalism/Communications or equivalent professional newsroom experience.
• Demonstrated reporting portfolio showing clear writing, accuracy, and community engagement.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office/Google Workspace; familiarity with AP Style; comfort with basic photo/audio tools.
• Cultural competency and knowledge of NAJA/IJA guidelines for reporting in Indian Country (or willingness to learn).
• Excellent organization and communication skills; ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Valid driver’s license; ability to work some evenings/weekends for meetings and events.
• Must be at least 21 years old and able to obtain/maintain a gaming license if required by work location.
• Bilingual English/Spanish or Apache language skills preferred; Mescalero Apache Tribal preference and bicultural experience preferred.

Physical Demands

• Frequent sitting, keyboarding, and telephone use; occasional standing and walking at events/meetings.
• Occasional lifting and moving of boxes, newspapers, or equipment up to 25 lbs.
• Driving to on‑reservation/off‑site locations for interviews and coverage.
• Office and field reporting environment with frequent public contact.
• Noise levels may vary (public meetings, events); occasional exposure to outdoor weather.
• Potential incidental exposure to second‑hand smoke in certain on‑property areas.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.