Multimedia General Assignment Reporter

The Nogales International, a twice-weekly newspaper based in the bustling U.S.-Mexico border city of Nogales, Ariz., has an opening for a general assignment reporter.

The depth of experience offered is unmatched. At the NI you will cover a bit of everything, from local government, schools and business, to community events, cops/courts and the impact of border/immigration policy on the local area. In fact, a great deal of the news we cover has some connection to the border and Mexico, and many of the stories you’ll write will have something to say about the cross-border economic, cultural and/or familial ties that make border communities unique.

Our coverage area includes all of scenic Santa Cruz County, which in addition to the urban area of Nogales and its residential suburb Rio Rico, includes an artist colony, several small communities oriented around ranching and agriculture, and large tracts of National Forest land. The reporter will also have opportunities to report news from our sister city of Nogales, Sonora, Mexico.

The reporter will take their own photos and occasional video, and chip in with proofreading, social media and website management.

Since Spanish is the first language of many in our community, and because we often interact with people from Mexico during our reporting, basic Spanish fluency is a necessity for our reporters.

This is a great opportunity for a talented entry-level journalist to join a newsroom that prides itself on enterprise reporting, accountability journalism and breaking local stories that often have statewide, national and even international interest. Since 2014, four different reporters from the Nogales International have been named Community Journalist of the Year by the Arizona Press Club, and another two have been runner-up and second runner-up. Reporters who have started their careers here during the past decade have gone on to positions at the Arizona Daily Star, Arizona Republic, Los Angeles Times, Salt Lake Tribune, South Dakota Public Broadcasting and the KJZZ (Phoenix NPR affiliate) bureau in Hermosillo, Mexico.

Santa Cruz County has a population of around 47,000 in an area approximately the size of Rhode Island, and boasts a range of outdoor recreation opportunities. Larger-city attractions are easily accessible next door in Nogales, Sonora (pop. 250,000) and an hour north in Tucson, Arizona’s second-largest city and home to the University of Arizona.

To apply, submit a resume, three clips and a letter explaining why you want to work at the Nogales International to Publisher Manuel C. Coppola at publisher@nogalesinternational.com Be sure your letter or resume includes an assessment of your Spanish abilities.