JOB OPENING: GENERAL ASSIGNMENT REPORTER
Full-time | Morganton, N.C. | On-site and in-field reporting
The Paper is looking for a curious, energetic, and community-minded general assignment reporter who wants to produce local journalism that matters.
This reporter will cover a wide range of stories in Burke County and the surrounding region, from breaking news and local government to education, business, public safety, community events, and the people who make this area distinctive.
We are looking for more than someone who can tell readers what happened. The successful candidate will explain why it matters, who is affected, and what happens next. The reporter should be eager to get out of the office, meet people, develop sources, ask thoughtful questions, and find stories readers cannot get anywhere else.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Report and write accurate, engaging stories for The Paper’s print and digital platforms.
Cover breaking news, local government, education, public safety, courts, business, economic development, health, community life, and other assignments.
Attend public meetings, community events, news conferences, and breaking-news scenes.
Develop enterprise, accountability, explanatory, and feature stories.
Build relationships with residents, public officials, business owners, educators, nonprofit leaders, and other community sources.
Use public records, government documents, data, and interviews to produce authoritative reporting.
File timely stories for the website while developing deeper coverage for the weekly print edition.
Take publication-quality photographs and contribute basic video or other digital content when appropriate.
Help identify emerging issues, overlooked communities, and stories that deserve sustained coverage.
Participate in newsroom planning and collaborate with editors, photographers, and other reporters.
Work occasional evenings and weekends as news and assignments require.
Use artificial intelligence and other reporting tools responsibly as supplements to journalism. All bylined work must be original, independently reported, verified, and written by the reporter.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Strong reporting, writing, interviewing, and organizational skills.
Sound news judgment and a commitment to accuracy, fairness, transparency, and accountability.
The ability to explain complicated subjects in clear, accessible language.
Curiosity about people and a willingness to approach unfamiliar sources and situations.
The ability to manage multiple assignments and meet daily and weekly deadlines.
Familiarity with AP style, public records, digital publishing, photography, and social media is helpful.
Previous newsroom experience or a degree in journalism, communications, English, or a related field is preferred, but we will consider candidates who can demonstrate strong reporting and writing ability.
The ability to travel throughout the coverage area for assignments.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Competitive compensation, paid biweekly through direct deposit.
Performance reviews and potential salary adjustments after the first three months, six months after the hire date, and annually thereafter.
Two weeks, or 10 business days, of paid vacation annually.
Seven paid holidays annually.
Mileage reimbursement at the current federal rate.
Group health insurance through UnitedHealthcare, with Morganton Media Group paying 55% of the premium. Full-time employees become eligible after 90 days.
ABOUT THE PAPER
Morganton Media Group, LLC, operating as The Paper, was founded in August 2022 to address the critical need for dedicated, accountable local journalism. The Paper launched on Feb. 4, 2023, as a weekly print and digital newspaper and has quickly become a trusted source of news and information in Burke County.
The Paper covers the residents, schools, businesses, economic development, local governments, organizations, activities, and amenities. Our newsroom is committed to producing trustworthy, relevant, and compelling journalism, including stories readers cannot find elsewhere.
The Paper is supported by subscriptions, advertising, and philanthropic contributions.
HOW TO APPLY
Send a résumé, a brief cover letter explaining your interest in community journalism, and three to five examples of your work. Please use “General Assignment Reporter” in the subject line.
Email the application package to Publisher Allen VanNoppen (allen@thepaper.media) and Executive Editor Angela Copeland (angela@thepaper.media)
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