Sports Reporter

The family-owned Durango Herald seeks an editor/reporter to redefine coverage of sports in Southwest Colorado.

The successful candidate will recruit and manage freelance writers and report the main sporting events in a Rocky Mountain town where cycling, skiing and college athletics complement a small but competitive high school sports scene. Fort Lewis College's Men's soccer team boasts a three time winning NCAA championship, and the college competes in football, volleyball, cross country, lacrosse, golf and softball. Durango is home to high-profile cyclists, including Sepp Kuss and Quinn Simmons. With Purgatory Ski Resort just 30 miles north of Durango, our scenic surroundings offer incredible opportunities in the world of Sports Reporting.

Experienced reporters are preferred, but recent college graduates are encouraged to apply.

Essential Responsibilities:

Report the main sporting events: cycling, skiing, college and high school athletics
Develop a beat and generate features and human-interest stories
Recruit and manage freelance writers
Assist freelance reporters at The Journal in Cortez, 50 miles away
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
Ability to meet deadlines
Knowledge of AP style writing
Hands-on use of InDesign is a plus
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

Please include five (5) samples of your work.

We are part of the family-owned Ballantine Communications Inc. (BCI) media organization. BCI operates multiple businesses including The Durango Herald, The Journal, and The Tri-City Record newspapers in southwestern Colorado and Northern New Mexico, as well as a phone directory, various magazines and a digital advertising agency. Our newsrooms have a deep commitment and proud tradition of community journalism.

Pay: $35,000 - $45,000 depending on experience