General Reporter
National and state award-winning community newspaper is seeking a self-motivated, passionate reporter who takes pride in their thoughtful, objective and creative writing to cover urban, community and educational issues.
The Westmore News offers the permanence of ink on paper and the immediacy of web and social media. For the last 58 years, we’ve played a key role in a Westchester community that serves as a microcosm of the country and has been embroiled in national issues ranging from Voting Rights Act violations to the impacts of gentrification to immigration and deportation policies. Between covering the Village of Port Chester, a majority minority, small city-sized community, and the Village of Rye Brook, an affluent white-collar community with a top-ranking school district, there are plenty of diverse and fascinating topics to report on.
We’re looking for an enthusiastic journalist who values storytelling, critical thought and in-depth reporting to join our close-knit, collaborative team in a non-corporate working environment. The right candidate will be eager to bring new ideas to the table with the intent of actively bettering the publication and wants to make a difference in the community—but is also willing to cover the small stuff.
Responsibilities:
• Write at least 5 clean copy articles a week covering both hard news and features about people, issues and events
• Conduct interviews in person and by telephone or video call while building and maintaining professional relationships with sources
• Be alert and vigilant for story leads and regularly pitch ideas to the editor
• Compile the police blotter on a weekly basis
• Take photos for picture stories, to accompany written stories and to be used as standalones
• Present stories with an intriguing angle in an accurate and fair manner
• Attend regularly scheduled meetings of governing bodies
• Handle social media for the newspaper, including Facebook and Twitter
• Work flexible days and hours that include some nights and weekends