Thurston County Reporter & Editor-in-Training

Vance Airscoop; Olympia (WA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance stipend

Job summary

The JOLT News Organization in Thurston County, WA seeks an experienced journalist to live in the community and cover it in person, with an in‑person focus and editing duties during a transition period. The role combines reporting with newsroom coordination and progression toward the lead Editor role.

Initial title is Reporter / Assistant Editor, with a goal to become lead Editor within six to nine months, overseeing coverage, assigning stories and maintaining editorial quality.

Qualifications

• At least three years of professional reporting experience.
• At least one year of editing responsibilities, including editing staff or freelance work, assigning stories, reviewing drafts or overseeing publication.
• Strong reporting, interviewing, writing, editing and fact-checking skills.
• Strong command of grammar, spelling and AP style.
• Sound news judgment and understanding of journalistic ethics, fairness, attribution and source protection.

Responsibilities

• Report daily and breaking news, community stories, enterprise pieces and occasional in-depth or investigative stories.
• Attend local meetings and events and conduct in-person and phone interviews with community members, public officials, businesses, nonprofits and other sources.
• Develop original story ideas that go beyond press releases and official announcements.
• Build relationships and sources throughout Thurston County.
• Edit and fact-check stories for accuracy, fairness, clarity, completeness and AP style.
• Help plan and assign coverage and provide clear reporting direction.
• Review headlines, captions, summaries and social media copy.
• Work closely with The JOLT’s local team and 5 contract reporters based in the Philippines.

Skills

Reporting

Editing

Interviewing

AP style

Ethics

Job description

The JOLT News Organization in Thurston County, WA seeks an experienced journalist to live in the community and cover it in person, with an in‑person focus and editing duties during a transition period. The role combines reporting with newsroom coordination and progression toward the lead Editor role.

Initial title is Reporter / Assistant Editor, with a goal to become lead Editor within six to nine months, overseeing coverage, assigning stories and maintaining editorial quality.