General Assignment Reporter

Salem Reporter, an all-digital, award-winning local news outlet, has an immediate opening for a general assignment reporter. This is a full-time job in Salem, Oregon.

This reporter will join our staff of four and initially be responsible for daily breaking news and regular features like our weekly events roundup. As you become more familiar with Salem and our newsroom, you’d have the opportunity to develop a beat based on your interests, which could include covering local government, politics, business and economy or homelessness.

Our newsroom is small, highly collaborative and committed to engaging our readers and serving our community. Some days, that means delivering regular updates on wildfire evacuations or a dangerous heat wave. Other days, it means digging deeper into a federal agent’s deadly driving.

This is the place to come if you want to sharpen your reporting and writing skills and build your journalistic muscle. You’ll get thoughtful editing and coaching on framing your stories, not just copy tweaks and assignments. You will learn effective use of public records, a subject on which our editor is a recognized authority. You’ll get help telling important stories with data.

We will consider a recent graduate with published work. The team is led by a two-time Pulitzer finalist with a national reputation who is fervent about the vital need for strong local news.

Salem is a growing mid-sized city about an hour from Portland, with large city parks, a vibrant downtown and easy access to the Oregon Coast and outdoors.

Qualifications: College degree (not necessarily journalism), demonstrated writing ability. Skills with social media and photography will be bonuses. A bilingual candidate who speaks Spanish will get special attention.

Do a little research on us and our team. Then send a letter explaining how you fit with what you see and why you want the opportunity. A resume and five examples of your writing/reporting are needed. Pay range is $35,000-$40,000 a year.

Send your package to Editor Les Zaitz: les@salemreporter.com

DEADLINE TO APPLY: MARCH 15.