We're Hiring! Sports Reporter/Editor

NOW HIRING: SPORTS REPORTER/EDITOR

Full-time | Morganton, N.C. | On-site and in-field reporting

The Paper is looking for a curious, energetic, and community-minded sports reporter/editor who wants to produce local journalism that matters.

The selected candidate will plan and produce the weekly sports pages, prioritizing high school and middle school athletics while highlighting youth and recreation sports, hometown athletes competing elsewhere, and other stories with a strong local connection.

This is a hands-on reporting, photography, and editing position. Working with newsroom leadership, the sports editor will set coverage priorities, manage deadlines and community submissions, and help shape headlines, captions, and section presentation.

The role also includes publishing timely digital updates and using social media to connect readers with our sports journalism.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Write game coverage, previews, athlete and coach profiles, features, and in-depth stories that go beyond the scores.

Photograph games, athletes, and community sporting events, providing accurate, informative captions.

Gather and verify scores, schedules, results, statistics, and standings for print and digital publication.

Build relationships with coaches, athletic directors, athletes, families, and recreation organizations to develop sources and identify stories.

Coordinate community submissions and contributing writers’ assignments, checking material for accuracy, clarity, and relevance.

Write headlines, edit and proofread sports content, and help coordinate section presentation in keeping with AP style and The Paper’s standards.

Publish timely website updates and use social media to share coverage and connect with readers.

Manage assignments and deadlines independently, including local travel and evening and weekend coverage.

Use the CMS system (currently BLOX) to prepare original stories, news releases, photos, and other assets for publication.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Competitive compensation, paid biweekly through direct deposit.

Two weeks (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 sports journalism, and three to five examples of your work. Please use “Sports Reporter/Editor” in the subject line.

Email the application package to Publisher Allen VanNoppen (allen@thepaper.media) and Executive Editor Angela Copeland (angela@thepaper.media).