Reporter - Publication

Forum-Communications; Saint Cloud (MN); On-site; USD 42,000 - 49,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision

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

St. Cloud Live, part of Forum Communications Company, is seeking a journalist/writer to produce compelling local stories for print and digital platforms.

Ideal candidates have 3+ years of newspaper or digital publication writing, strong AP style skills, and a passion for community reporting. The role requires flexible hours, a valid driver's license, and a commitment to ethical journalism while driving audience engagement in the St. Cloud area.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Mass Communications, or related field preferred or equivalent professional reporting/writing experience.
• 3+ years of previous writing experience for a newspaper, website, magazine, or specialty publication strongly preferred.
• Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills with solid AP style understanding.
• Photography and basic photo editing experience preferred; commitment to journalistic ethics.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and build relationships within the community and with sources.

Responsibilities

• Research and craft compelling stories adhering to editorial and AP style for print and digital platforms.
• Find, research, and tell stories tailored to editors’ needs and target audiences.
• Stay up to date on local politics, public safety, and community events.
• Develop sources and partnerships to become a trusted local information source.
• Interview sources, research tips, and leads; ensure sound editorial judgement and legal/ethical compliance.

Skills

Writing & Editing

AP style

Communication

Deadline-driven

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Journalism

Equivalent reporting/writing experience

Tools

CMS

Photo editing

Social media

Digital analytics

Job description

Description

Job Summary

St. Cloud Live is a fast-growing, emerging digital and print news publication dedicated to delivering the local news, entertainment, and stories that matter most to the St. Cloud metro area. With a strong focus on digital innovation and audience engagement, St. Cloud Live’s journalism has earned widespread recognition, including nine awards from the Minnesota Newspaper Association in 2024, with four first-place honors! Located just an easy drive from the Minneapolis–St. Paul metro, St. Cloud offers the perfect blend of small-city living and access to big-city amenities. Residents enjoy a thriving local arts and culture scene, abundant parks and trails, growing restaurants and breweries, and community events that make everyday life vibrant and connected. With a lower cost of living than the Twin Cities and a strong sense of community, St. Cloud is an appealing place to grow your career and your life. St. Cloud Live is part of Forum Communications Company, a fifth-generation, family-owned media organization with more than 20 publications across the Upper Midwest, collectively reaching more than 5 million readers each month.

Essential Functions

• Research and craft compelling stories that adhere to editorial and AP style and format standards for publication across both print and digital platforms - following leads and responding quickly to breaking news.
• Find, research, and tell stories tailored to the editor’s needs and target audience.
• Stay up to date on the latest current events - local politics, public safety and education topics, community events, and more.
• Become an active part of the local and surrounding communities, developing sources and partnerships as a trusted source of information.
• Contact and interview sources, and research tips and leads.
• Displaying sound editorial judgements, including a thorough understanding and application of the law, relevant codes of practice, and ethical principles.
• Drive audience loyalty and digital growth through engaging and timely content, developing unique story ideas and content around key categories that drive digital memberships and reader engagement.
• Collaborate with digital teams and make use of available tools and technology to gain insight into story metrics, determining new ways to create and present content online.
• Embrace a creative, collaborative approach with other team members and with other FCC departments and locations.
• Contribute to the overall advancement of digital initiatives; share and promote digital content through various social media channels.
• Maintain prompt and reliable attendance.

Non-Essential Duties and Functions

• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Mass Communications, or a related field preferred, or equivalent professional reporting/writing experience.
• 3+ years of previous writing experience for a newspaper, website, magazine, or specialty publication strongly preferred.
• Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with a solid grasp of AP style.
• Photography and basic photo editing experience preferred, and a strong commitment to journalistic integrity and ethics.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships with community members and business leaders alike.
• Strong news judgment and the ability to identify compelling story angles that resonate with local audiences.
• Ability to work efficiently under tight deadlines and organize multiple assignments, while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail using a Web-based content management system.
• Familiarity with digital publishing tools, social media platforms, audience engagement strategies, and digital analytics/digital tools is a plus.
• Willingness and ability to work flexible hours as the news happens, including evenings and weekends as needed, based on coverage needs.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and a driving record that is insurable by the company.
• Must carry an acceptable level of vehicle insurance as required by the company.

Expected compensation for this role is between $42,000 - $49,000, based on qualifications and experience.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Forum Communications Company is a family-owned media and technology leader with more than a century of delivering trusted, quality journalism and innovative business solutions. Storytelling is at the heart of who we are, but today, we’re so much more than a newspaper. As one of the Upper Midwest’s leading media organizations, we’re driving the future across print and digital news, sports streaming, technology, broadcasting, commercial printing, and full-service agency advertising.

Forum Communications Company offers the following to all Full-Time and 32-Hour Benefited employees:

• Health, dental, and vision packages
• Paid maternity and parental leave
• Company-paid short-term disability and life insurance
• Additional options for critical illness, accident, and hospital indemnity coverage
• Retirement benefits with company match
• Generous PTO and paid volunteer hours

We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. FCC currently does not offer employer sponsorship.