Crime and Courts Reporter

Lookout Local is expanding with our second community, Eugene-Springfield, Oregon, launching soon. We are proud to have won the breaking news Pulitzer in 2024 for coverage of unprecedented flooding in January 2023.

Crime and courts is a key position with Lookout Eugene-Springfield, but we are not looking for someone who will chase everything they hear on a scanner. We want a reporter who will make public safety coverage accessible to readers by reporting on trends and helping readers understand what is happening in their community and why. Sure, there will be breaking news coverage, but this reporter will thrive on enterprise and explanatory journalism. This reporter will tell the stories of people impacted by crime with compassion and humanity.

This reporter will also lead our coverage of courts, following cases of local importance or interest. You will not spend your days inside a courtroom, but will look for the cases that made an impact on Lane County.

About Lookout Local: We are building a modern company of journalists and friends in a collaborative, in-office, community-centric environment. And as we plan Lookouts 2-5, we are building a pipeline of ambitious talent.
Our mission is to repopulate news deserts, not by protesting financially driven chains, but by creating better local news and local news products, ones that earn both membership and advertising dollars every day. We are building robust local news companies — meant to serve their communities and last. We stand for trustworthy, local, independent journalism. Apply today to join the team.

Learn more about Lookout:

Lookout Santa Cruz: https://lookout.co/
Lookout Eugene-Springfield Welcome: https://lnkd.in/ginTrtH2
Lookout Expansion coverage
Lookout Pulitzer coverage

In Eugene, our in-person newsroom of 15 will include full-time correspondents with beat responsibilities in local government, education, public health, arts and entertainment, food, environment and more. We look both for specific beat experience and knowledge and an overall enthusiasm for building this new collegial newsroom.

Application Process: Please send your resume and cover letter to jobs@lookoutlocal.com and put “Crime and Courts” in the subject line.

What We Offer:

Competitive salary and performance-based incentives.

Full-time benefits include highly competitive medical, dental, and optical benefits, and 401(k) with matching.

Good PTO allowances

An opportunity to make a significant impact on and contribute to the revival of local journalism.

A collaborative and mission-driven work environment.

Stock options in our growing company.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Lookout Eugene-Springfield is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
What is expected of you:

Our reporters will provide timely, useful, and connect-the-dots reporting that distinguishes the Lookout model. Readers know our reporters through the bylines and photos and look to them for reliable news and information.This role involves working deeply into the Arts, Entertainment and Culture community, collaborating with colleagues on both breaking news and in-depth pieces, and excelling at narrative storytelling. The ideal candidates will provide fair, accurate, and non-partisan news, work at the cadence of digital publishing, and be enthusiastic about the responsible use of newer technologies. We’re looking for journalists who see the power of revived local journalism and have the skills and enthusiasm to be part of a new team doing it.
Responsibilities:

Reporting and Storytelling:

Provide timely, useful, and connect-the-dots reporting on assigned beats.

Create narrative stories that give readers a fair, accurate, and non-partisan sense of the news that matters most to them.

Collaborate with colleagues on breaking news and in-depth pieces.

Conduct thorough research and investigations, verify facts and cross-check information to ensure reliability.

Write clear, concise, and compelling stories in various styles, from breaking news to in-depth features.

Look for ways to help readers participate in their communities and to be of service to them.

Digital Proficiency:

Work at the cadence of digital publishing, ensuring timely updates and responsiveness to breaking news.

Collaboration and Teamwork:

Collaborate with fellow journalists and editors to share insights, story ideas, resources, and expertise.

Community Engagement:

Engage with the community to understand their needs and interests, reflecting this in reporting.

Build and maintain a network of sources and contacts. Develop relationships with key community members, officials, and experts.

Represent Lookout Eugene-Springfield at community events and forums.

Qualifications:

Proven, relevant experience as a journalist with a track record of timely and impactful reporting.

Strong narrative storytelling skills with a commitment to fair, accurate, and non-partisan journalism.

Proficiency with digital publishing tools and a keen interest in emerging technologies.

Deep understanding of beat reporting and the ability to develop and maintain a network of sources.

Demonstrated ability to serve readers’ news and information needs.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Passion for Lookout Eugene-Springfield’s mission and a deep understanding of the local community.