Senior Reporter, State Issues

Investigative Reporters & Editors, Inc.; Wilmington (NC); Remote; USD 69,000 - 81,000; Full time

Job summary

A nonprofit news organization in North Carolina seeks a Senior Reporter to localize state issues for communities. The ideal candidate will have at least 5 years of journalism experience, strong research and writing skills, and a collaborative spirit. Responsibilities include engaging communities and overseeing content production. The position offers a starting salary of $68,000 with generous benefits in a remote-first work environment.

Benefits

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Paid holidays and vacation

Tech stipend

Qualifications

• Proven journalism experience, preferably 5 years or more.
• Ability to synthesize and explain complex topics.
• Strong interest in connecting with diverse communities.

Responsibilities

• Identify news needs across the state and localize content.
• Oversee the production of content for NC Local.
• Engage communities through digital channels and events.

Skills

Journalism experience

Strong research and writing abilities

Collaborative spirit

Ability to explain complex topics

Familiarity with state-level policy

Deadline management

Interest in connecting with communities

Analytical skills

Experimental mindset

Job description

If you are having trouble with the application process, please email [e-mail] for assistance.

Job Summary

NC Local is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news organization focused on delivering public-service journalism about statewide issues and strengthening North Carolina’s news ecosystem.

The organization has identified a need for people across North Carolina to understand how statewide issues affect their communities. NC Local has launched a nonprofit news organization to serve as a hub for new, original journalism, services, and products in partnership with newsrooms and trusted messengers across the state.

The mission of NC Local is to help all North Carolinians stay informed, understand local impacts, and engage in the decisions shaping their futures.

The Role

The Senior Reporter will serve as the lead journalist for localizing state issues in plain language for communities across North Carolina. The role requires journalism skills and experience, and involves engaging communities through digital channels, new products, and services, as well as in-person at community events.

The Senior Reporter will identify local issues of regional and statewide importance, oversee the production of content and projects, and work in close collaboration with other staff to develop and create compelling products.

Responsibilities

• Identify news and information needs across the state and devise ways to localize content to meet those needs for specific audiences.
• Launch and lead the reporting, writing, and collaborative work on statewide issues for NC Local products and channels.
• Explain complex legislative issues in accessible formats, breaking down issues to help people understand how they're impacted where they live.
• Manage freelance contributors and eventually other reporting staff on NC Local content and projects.
• Join other NC Local staff and partners in bringing communities together for ongoing community listening, engagement opportunities, and events.
• Create, design, and implement engaging online and in-person opportunities and products for news and information.
• Collaborate with media partners and community organizations on reporting and community engagement projects.

Requirements

• Proven journalism experience, preferably 5 years or more professional experience.
• Strong research, writing, copyediting, and editing abilities.
• A collaborative spirit and a desire to coach and mentor other journalists.
• Ability to synthesize and explain complex topics in a clear and accessible way.
• Familiarity with state-level policy and current affairs, particularly the inner workings of the NC General Assembly.
• Ability to meet deadlines and adhere to editorial guidelines.
• Interested in varied work and comfortable with managing multiple projects and working with different constituencies at the same time.
• Strong interest in connecting with diverse and underserved communities across NC.
• Curiosity, generosity, and coachability.
• Analytical skills or the willingness and ability to learn analysis of digital metrics.
• An experimental mindset and an appreciation for new and creative ways to provide news and information.

Compensation and Benefits

NC Local offers competitive salaries and benefits that focus on the well-being of its employees. The salary range for this role begins at $68,000, with compensation dependent on experience and skills.

NC Local offers generous health, dental, and vision insurance, as well as other benefits, including paid holidays, vacation, and personal time off, and a tech stipend. NC Local is a remote-first organization, and the senior reporter will work in the Triangle.

NC Local is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from diverse candidates.