Reporter

The Morning Call is looking to hire a dedicated and self-motivated journalist to cover Lehigh Valley retail openings/closings with a focus on local restaurants, dining trends, and high-profile events for digital, print, and special publications. The position is remote but must be local to Allentown, PA.

What you will do:

Report on retail news with a focus on restaurant openings and closings in the greater Lehigh Valley region in eastern Pennsylvania with high audience appeal

Cover local dining trends, including, for example, how new Pennsylvania tip rules are affecting restaurant workers, how staff shortages are affecting restaurateurs and diners alike, how restaurants are enhancing experiences for customers and what rising menu prices and shrinking menu options mean for diners

Produce holiday dining guides (Mothers Day, Valentines Day, Thanksgiving, Easter, etc.)

Provide updates on upcoming Lehigh Valley restaurant weeks and high-profile local food events

Deliver regular dining listicles (Best Pizza, Best Vegetarian Spots, Best Hoagies, Best Burgers, etc.) based on personal opinion or audience driven tips

Assist as needed with major event previews

Aggregate weekly roundup of restaurant/retail openings and closings to convert this weekly collection (copy and paste) into a Sunday Retail Watch feature for print

Write clean-copy, AP-style news articles based on original reporting and utilize spell check tools such as Grammarly and Tanza to self-proof

Generate and pitch ideas daily/weekly/long term for original stories and features

Attend/collaborate in story planning and special section meetings as requested

iPhone photography and video clips of retail / restaurants / dining as needed

Social media audience engagement on multiple platforms

Regular evaluation of digital audience metrics tools

What you will bring:

Availability to work the equivalent of a 5-day, 40-hour week, including a weekend rotation shift every two months

Bachelor's degree

Previous experience in Journalism

Strong digital and social media skills

The ability to develop sources through a variety of different means

Possess excellent communication skills, show initiative and exercise good news judgment

Ability to handle daily, short-term and long-term assignments simultaneously

The ability and willingness to change gears based on a variety of factors, including audience demand

Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation

The Morning Call offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401K, paid vacation and personal days.