Cultural Economy Reporter

Cultural economy reporter Verite News is a Black-led nonprofit news organization with a twofold mission to produce in-depth journalism that serves communities across New Orleans while training, developing and mentoring a new generation of journalists from underrepresented backgrounds.Verite is seeking a Cultural Economy Reporter to join a staff aimed at bolstering independent, nonpartisan journalism in the Deep South. The ideal journalist for this role will be someone with at least two years of reporting or related experience who can thoughtfully develop daily/breaking news stories, deeper-dive and investigative features and well-researched packages and projects. Tourism and hospitality form the backbone of New Orleans’ economy, and the industry shapes the city’s national and global image. The city’s cultural economy draws from its rich and complicated histories and cultures, compiled over centuries. But how much of the city’s tourism money flows into the pockets and promotes the wellbeing of the workers and residents who keep hotels, restaurants and jazz clubs running?The cultural economy reporter at Verite News would cover the relationships that sustain the city’s tourism economy, exploring and explaining how the industry does or does not serve the people of New Orleans. In addition to reporting on the business of tourism, this reporter will incorporate public accountability into the beat, given the amount of public subsidies and local government boosterism dedicated to tourism and hospitality in New Orleans. Everyday New Orleanians have built this economy over time, and the cultural economy beat seeks to document the relationship between the industry and the people who work in it. The work of the cultural economy reporter aims to celebrate New Orleans and its people, documenting the unique practices and cultural traditions of the city through people-focused features and narratives.The cultural economy reporter will report to an assistant managing editor.

Expectations

Lead coverage of tourism and hospitality policy in New Orleans, with an eye toward the intersections of culture and tourism with politics, economy, labor, race and class, gender and more. Collaborate with a team of journalists who are focused on social inequities and racial equality in our area.Build trust with sources and readers. Work with our audience team and data and visual journalists to create compelling story presentations.

Qualified candidates should have

A bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications or related field, or equivalent experience. The ability to work quickly, with accuracy and good news judgment.Proficiency with AP style guidelines. At least two years of experience as a journalist. Ability to independently develop and cultivate sources.Ability to use social media for research and to engage readers.Digital storytelling skills and an open mind to trying new approaches to reaching audiences.

It’s a plus if you have:

Louisiana reporting experience.Experience obtaining and working with public records.A data journalism background.Experience writing a combination of both quick-turn and enterprise stories.A knowledge and understanding of nonprofit journalism.Experience working in a collaborative newsroom setting.

What you’ll get:

Highly competitive salary with medical insurance, and options for vision and dental insurance.Use of appropriate technology and equipment. 29 days paid time off.Up to 12 weeks of parental family leave, with return-to-work flexibility.Simple IRA with 3 percent company matching. Group-term life insurance provided to employees ($15,000 policy).Support for professional training and attending industry conferences.

How to Apply

As an equal opportunity employer, we’re committed to building an inclusive newsroom that represents the people and communities we serve. We are aware that some otherwise qualified candidates may not meet all the criteria listed above. We encourage those candidates to apply. We especially encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply for this position, including women, people of color, LGBTQ people and people who are differently abled.To apply, go to https://veritenews.org/hiring-cultural-economy-reporter/Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Please contact Dylan Penny, our head of people and culture, at dpenny@deepsouthtoday.org with any questions.recblid rf7wyrrfrzna87sswv450ydujfga8p