Reporter

Ballantine Communications is a leading media organization with three prominent regional newspapers dedicated to delivering in-depth reporting, compelling narratives, and insightful analysis. Our mission is to inform, engage, and empower our readers through high-quality journalism and help grow businesses through our strategic marketing and advertising approaches.

Ballantine Communications has an opening for a reporter to help cover Cortez and Montezuma County for The Journal. Southwest Colorado offers uncrowded access to a national forest, regional ski areas, three major rivers and the San Juan Mountains.

Experienced and enterprising reporters are preferred. Reporters at Ballantine Communications are focused on readership and a growing online audience. We publish one printed edition each week in Cortez, reporters frequently are required to provide photos for their stories.

Please email five (5) samples of your work, including at least one breaking news story, at least one feature story and either a JPEG photo or video portfolio, to Executive Editor Trent Stephens at tstephens@the-journal.com.

Essential Responsibilities:

Grow audiences by delivering well-written content;
Perform research on different topics;
Analyze and interpret findings by breaking down data;
Beat reporting: deliver a wide range of work that covers all aspects: daily stories, profiles, news features, exclusive news and watchdog reports;
Uncover newsworthy stories/breaking news;
Interview key people (witnesses, sources etc.);
Write content with readers needs in mind;
Ensure your pieces are accurate and objective;
Establish contacts and sources to use in future research;
Maintain notes in written or electronic form;
Contribute to content idea generation for publication;
Stay up-to-date with local, national and international affairs;
Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications, or related field.
Previous journalism experience is preferred, but recent college graduates will be considered. Please include five (5) samples of your work.
Ability to meet deadlines;
Multimedia/social media knowledge and experience.
Knowledge of photography when staff photographer is not available.
Broadly applied software including Google products, and photography skills (video skills preferred but not required).
English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Communications and Media — Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
Law and Government — Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Telecommunications — Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Must have reliable transportation.

Pay: $39,000 - $42,000 annually depending on experience

Job Type: Full-time

Ballantine Communications, Inc. is a flexible, family oriented company. We offer competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits package including medical (with option for an HSA account), dental, vision, life insurance, paid time off, company paid holidays and a 401(k). Ballantine Communications, Inc is an Equal Opportunity Employer.