Business and Development Correspondent

About the Company

Lookout Eugene-Springfield’s mission is to provide fair, accurate, and non-partisan news, focusing on the role of business in shaping a community through taxes and jobs. We are committed to reviving local journalism and engaging with the community to reflect their needs and interests. Lookout Eugene-Springfield now approaches its first anniversary, having achieved great traction -- audience, membership, advertising and community trust -- already. It is part of Lookout Local, a now fast-growing, next-generation West Coast-based local news network. Lookout Santa Cruz won the 2024 Pulitzer for Breaking News, and Lookout's fiercely mission-driven, fiercely business-driven model is winning wide notice nationally. Check out our network page: https://lookout.co/network.

Our workplaces are in-person, in-community, collaborative and collegial. We are building a diverse, highly skilled and mission-driven group of journalists, community builders and business people intent on maintaining our culture of learning, growth and community service.

About the Role

The Business and Development Correspondent will approach the beat with a broad lens, focusing on issues and trends as much as what is opening and closing. The ideal candidate understands the impact of business culture on the local economy and seeks to tell these larger stories. If applying for this job, please submit both a resume and a cover letter detailing why you match up with our position.

Responsibilities

• Reporting and Storytelling:
• Provide timely, useful, and connect-the-dots reporting on assigned beats.
• Create narrative stories that give readers a fair, accurate, and non-partisan sense of the news that matters most to them.
• Collaborate with colleagues on breaking news and in-depth pieces.
• Conduct thorough research and investigations, verify facts and cross-check information to ensure reliability.
• Write clear, concise, and compelling stories in various styles, from breaking news to in-depth features.
• Look for ways to help readers participate in their communities and to be of service to them.

• Digital Proficiency:
• Work at the cadence of digital publishing, ensuring timely updates and responsiveness to breaking news.
• Comfortable with social media platforms and integrating them into how we tell stories, including on-camera video work.

• Collaboration and Teamwork:
• Collaborate with fellow journalists and editors to share insights, story ideas, resources, and expertise.

• Community Engagement:
• Engage with the community to understand their needs and interests, reflecting this in reporting.
• Build and maintain a network of sources and contacts.
• Develop relationships with key community members, officials, and experts.
• Enthusiastically represent Lookout Eugene-Springfield at community events and forums.

Qualifications

• Proven, relevant experience as a journalist with a track record of timely and impactful reporting.
• Strong narrative storytelling skills with a commitment to fair, accurate, and non-partisan journalism.
• Proficiency with digital publishing tools and a keen interest in emerging technologies.
• Deep understanding of beat reporting and the ability to develop and maintain a network of sources.
• Demonstrated ability to serve readers’ news and information needs.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Passion for Lookout Eugene-Springfield’s mission and a deep understanding of the local community.

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary and performance-based incentives.
• Full-time benefits include highly competitive medical, dental, and optical benefits, and 401(k) with matching.
• Good PTO allowances.
• Stock options in our growing company.
• An opportunity to make a significant impact on and contribute to the revival of local journalism.
• A collaborative and mission-driven work environment.

Application Process

Please send your resume and cover letter to jobs@lookoutlocal.com and put “Eugene, Business Correspondent” in the subject line.

Equal Opportunity Statement

We are committed to diversity and inclusivity in our hiring practices and encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply.