Vermont Enterprise & Legislative Reporter

AAJA24; Montpelier, Northern (VT, KY); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

VTDigger is seeking a versatile journalist to cover enterprise news across Vermont, with emphasis on economic development and business. This reporter will collaborate with editors, contribute to the Final Reading newsletter during sessions, and report in person from the Vermont Statehouse when needed.

Responsibilities include writing 3-4 stories weekly, developing sources, handling public records requests, and delivering accurate, fair journalism in a digital-first newsroom based in Montpelier.

Qualifications

• Professional reporting experience
• Ability to meet short deadlines
• Demonstrated ability to cover a beat
• Passion for enterprise and investigative reporting
• Clear understanding of journalism principles, ethics, standards and style
• Knowledge of state and/or federal legislative processes preferred but not required
• Curiosity, flexibility and a willingness to tackle stories over a range of subjects

Responsibilities

• Writes 3-4 stories a week, plus briefs for newsletters
• Generates compelling pitches and cultivates sources on the beat
• Fulfills story assignments made by editors
• Meets deadlines set in collaboration with editors and works collaboratively through the editing process
• Works with multimedia team to ensure stories include strong visual, data and audio/video elements when possible
• Contributes to legislative coverage, including VTDigger's Final Reading newsletter
• Reports in-person when possible to establish relationships with sources
• Closely monitors local, state and national media coverage in search of fresh angles on established stories
• Places public records requests and seeks out investigative pieces
• Communicates professionally with sources, readers and colleagues
• Attends and participates in newsroom, all-staff and, as needed, cross-functional team meetings
• Attends VTDigger events, as needed

Skills

Enterprise reporting

Source cultivation

Deadline-driven

Legislative coverage

News writing

Tools

AP style

Job description

VTDigger is seeking a versatile journalist to cover enterprise news across Vermont, with emphasis on economic development and business. This reporter will collaborate with editors, contribute to the Final Reading newsletter during sessions, and report in person from the Vermont Statehouse when needed.

Responsibilities include writing 3-4 stories weekly, developing sources, handling public records requests, and delivering accurate, fair journalism in a digital-first newsroom based in Montpelier.