What are the responsibilities and job description for the Pittsburgh Food & Drink Reporter position at Advance Local?
PennLive is seeking an energetic Food & Drink Reporter to anchor our coverage of the Pittsburgh dining scene. This role will be essential in keeping audiences informed about where the city and region eats and drinks, with a strong emphasis on timely, must-read content creation.
An on-camera presence is essential, as this journalist will help bring stories to life through vertical video and social storytelling across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and other platforms.
This content creator will own breaking news on restaurant openings and closings — no restaurant should open or close in the Pittsburgh region without our coverage. Speed, accuracy and strong news judgment are critical, as this role will regularly turn quick, engaging stories that inform readers and drive conversation.
Beyond daily news, this position will develop high interest “best of” lists that help readers, viewers and listeners navigate the region’s dining landscape (think: “25 best burgers in Pittsburgh”) and highlight standout spots across neighborhoods.
The ideal candidate will also look for creative, audience-friendly ways to cover the beat, from trying signature dishes at local favorites to identify emerging trends and the region’s many hidden gems.
We’re looking for a strong, efficient journalist with a passion for food and a keen understanding of what readers, viewers and listeners want to know right now.
The base salary range is $50,000 - $55,000 per year.
This job requires reliable transportation to meet with sources or cover events.
Our ideal candidate will have the following:
- Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, or a related field or equivalent experience
- A minimum of two years of journalism experience with a proven ability in reporting and writing.
- Experience building, maintaining, and engaging an active audience
- Ability to work independently under deadline pressure and prioritize tasks appropriately
- Proven ability to source, report and break news on a busy local food scene
- Strong news judgment, sharp writing skills, and a solid grasp of digital storytelling are musts.
- Comfort working across written, visual and audio platforms.
- Clean, conversational writing that keeps readers engaged from start to finish.
Salary : $50,000 - $55,000