Northwest Vermont Reporter
VTDigger — Vermont’s statewide, nonprofit, digital news organization — is seeking a talented reporter to cover the state’s fastest-growing region and its economic hub.
Home to more than one-third of the state’s population, northwest Vermont includes the bustling city of Burlington, sprawling suburbs, classic villages, farms and forests, and the islands of Lake Champlain. Its major employers include universities and hospitals; tech startups and manufacturers; retailers and restaurants; dairy farms and maple sugar makers. It’s Vermont’s cultural capital, with a vibrant arts and music scene and a population that is younger and more diverse than much of the state.
Northwest Vermont also faces serious challenges. Housing is unaffordable and hard to find. The opioid epidemic has hollowed out communities and homelessness is on the rise. Pollution has threatened the bays and beaches of Lake Champlain. And the region’s relentless growth has prompted tough conversations about what development ought to look like in the Green Mountain State.
VTDigger’s northwest team, which includes two reporters and an editor, seeks to mine this terrain for compelling stories that speak to a statewide audience. As a member of this team, you would be expected to engage with local communities, build sources, pitch stories that others miss and identify trends across the region. You would file three to four stories in an ordinary week but could step back from that schedule to report out more ambitious pieces in keeping with VTDigger’s tradition of investigative reporting.
Though you would report across the entire region, this position has a particular focus on the Burlington area. Interest and experience covering municipal government and politics is a plus. VTDigger’s regional reporters often take on sub-beats, so be sure to tell us what issues interest you the most.
VTDigger is a digital publishing pioneer. While most reporting is written for our website, we welcome candidates who have innovative ideas for publishing on emerging platforms and connecting with audiences that we are not yet reaching.
VTDigger is committed to better serving the communities we cover. We want to know how you would approach your reporting in an equitable and inclusive manner.
Location: VTDigger’s headquarters are in Montpelier, Vermont, but this position is based in northwest Vermont. Because we believe it’s essential to be reporting in communities and not just on them, the reporter in this position is required to work most days from Chittenden, Franklin or Grand Isle counties.
State date: March/April 2024
Compensation: Starting reporter salaries range from $45,000-$60,000. VTDigger offers a highly competitive benefits package, which includes five weeks of paid time off to be used for sickness or vacation and eight weeks of nearly fully paid parental leave. This position is represented by the VTDigger Guild.
How to apply: Using this form, please upload a resume and a cover letter addressing why you want to work for VTDigger and why you’re the right fit for this job. The deadline to apply is March 3, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.
Please note: We recognize there are great candidates who may not think they’re the right fit for this job or who have important skills and experiences we haven’t considered. If that sounds like you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us more about yourself. VTDigger is committed to constantly improving our organization, in part by better reflecting the communities we serve. We are dedicated to creating an inclusive workplace for all people. We especially encourage members of communities that are traditionally underrepresented and misrepresented in media to apply to join our team, including those who are Black, Indigenous or people of color; women; LGBTQ+ people, and people with disabilities.