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This range is provided by Spotlight Delaware. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

$68,000.00/yr - $72,000.00/yr

Salary Range: $68,000 - $72,000

Background: Spotlight Delaware is a year-old collaborative nonprofit newsroom whose mission is to engage, empower and connect communities with local news and information.

Opportunity: This is a unique opportunity for a Senior Reporter to join our dynamic team. As a Senior Reporter, you will play a pivotal role in accountability coverage of Delaware state government, as well as other topics of concern for readers. We are looking for a journalist with a proven track record of in-depth reporting, a keen eye for detail, and a passion for storytelling.

If you are a dedicated journalist with a strong commitment to upholding the highest standards of ethical journalism, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity and help us continue delivering quality news to the Delaware community.

Position Summary: The Senior Reporter will be responsible for working closely with the Editor-In-Chief and Deputy Editor to produce high-quality journalism that explores the impact of public policy on Delaware citizens, particularly focusing on historically underserved communities. Key duties will involve leading investigative projects, developing content for multiple mediums, conducting thorough research and fact-checking, and actively engaging with the audience and local community.

Key Responsibilities

Reporting and Storytelling

• Work closely with the Editor-In-Chief and Deputy Editor to produce high-quality journalism that examines the impact of public policy on Delaware citizens, with a special focus on historically underserved and underrepresented communities.
• Analyze and break down complex government policies and public documents into easily digestible and relatable stories for the general public.
• Lead investigative journalism projects, applying analytical skills and utilizing various resources to dig deeper into government-related stories and issues.
• Develop content and stories that can be effectively conveyed across various mediums – print, digital, audio, and visual – ensuring wide reach and engagement.
• Conduct thorough research, interviews, and fact-checking to ensure accuracy and credibility in all reported pieces.
• Maintain strong editorial processes and standards to ensure transparency, accountability, and consistency across the newsroom.
• Mentor junior staff and interns as needed.

Community Engagement

• Host and/or participate in public forums, Q&A sessions, or webinars to directly engage with the audience, answer their queries, and build a stronger relationship between the newsroom and the community.
• Establish and maintain relationships with local sources, community leaders, and experts to enrich reporting and gain valuable insights.
• Act as the newsroom's primary representative in covering government-related events, press conferences, and other official functions.
• Remain flexible, creative, collaborative and entrepreneurial to continuously learn about and respond to community information needs.

Education and Experience Requirements

• Extensive experience in journalism, with a strong emphasis on investigative reporting and producing impactful stories.
• Experience with or interest in nonprofit, collaborative or other nontraditional news operations preferred.
• College degree in journalism, communications, or a related field preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to think strategically and identify compelling stories that resonate with Delaware audiences.
• In-depth knowledge of Delaware's local news landscape, political dynamics, and key community issues.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities, capable of building rapport with a diverse range of individuals and communities.
• Innovative mindset with a willingness to experiment with new storytelling formats and approaches.
• Passion for local journalism and its role in holding government accountable, fostering civic engagement and building community.
• Hybrid role, with a Wilmington, Delaware, office. Must reside in Delaware or surrounding area.
• Work schedule flexibility required.
• Travel: Occasional.

Salary and Benefits

Salary range is commensurate with experience: $68,000 - $72,000. Benefits include health, dental and vision coverage, retirement savings, holidays and paid time off.

To apply: Please submit your resume and cover letter to jowens@spotlightdelaware.org by March 21.

The Local Journalism Initiative d/b/a Spotlight Delaware is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status. As part of our values, we are committed to supporting inclusion and diversity. We actively celebrate colleagues’ different abilities, sexual orientation, ethnicity, faith, and gender. Everyone is welcome and supported in their development at all stages in their journey with us.