North Dakota Energy & Government Reporter

Forum Communications Co.; Fargo (ND); On-site; 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

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 sector and its broad impact. Based in Bismarck with travel to Bakken regions, you’ll produce timely, authoritative stories for digital, print and broadcast, and gather video content for multiple platforms.

You’ll translate complex energy and regulatory topics into clear journalism while building relationships with industry, officials, landowners and residents.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications or a related field (or equivalent professional experience).
• Experience reporting, preferably in business, government, energy, agriculture, environment or rural communities.
• Strong news judgment; ability to balance daily reporting, breaking news and enterprise work.
• Explain technical/regulatory topics in accessible language.
• Experience using public records and data in reporting.
• Strong interviewing, writing and storytelling skills.
• Experience producing video journalism or willingness to develop shooting/editing/reporting skills.
• Comfort appearing on camera and delivering live or recorded reports.
• Ability to work independently while contributing to a regional newsroom.
• Willingness to travel regularly throughout western North Dakota, sometimes on short notice.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.

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 and events.
• Monitor energy policy, regulation, taxation and legislation, and explain impacts.
• Contribute general Bismarck news coverage for Forum Communications audiences.
• Provide coverage of the Legislature during sessions, including significant bills and debates.
• Report on the economic impact of energy development on state and local finances and employment.
• Examine environmental and land-use issues related to energy development.
• Tell stories of people affected by the energy industry across communities.
• Cover breaking news involving industrial incidents, spills, or political developments.
• Develop enterprise reporting and public-interest investigations.
• Use public records and data to identify trends and hold actors accountable.
• Build diverse sources across industry, government, environmental groups, academia and communities.
• Produce journalism in multiple formats; may appear on camera.
• Use audience data to identify coverage opportunities and engagement.

Skills

Journalism degree

Reporting experience

Video journalism

Public records usage

Interviews & storytelling

On-camera reporting

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in journalism or communications

Equivalent professional experience

Tools

Video editing

Camera operation

Job description

Forum Communications Company seeks a multimedia reporter to cover North Dakota’s oil and energy sector and its broad impact. Based in Bismarck with travel to Bakken regions, you’ll produce timely, authoritative stories for digital, print and broadcast, and gather video content for multiple platforms.

You’ll translate complex energy and regulatory topics into clear journalism while building relationships with industry, officials, landowners and residents.