What are the responsibilities and job description for the Freelance Reporter position at The Bourbon County Monitor?
Company Description The Bourbon County Monitor is an independent online newspaper serving Fort Scott and Bourbon County, Kansas, with a focus on clear, factual coverage of local government and community news. The publication reports on county and city commission meetings, school board decisions, budgets, public records, and elections, giving residents insight into issues that affect taxes, schools, and neighborhoods. It also publishes obituaries, public meeting summaries, and feature stories about local people, businesses, and organizations. Locally owned and operated, The Monitor is committed to keeping the community informed and engaged through accessible and reliable journalism.
Role Description The Freelance Reporter is a full-time, on-site role based in the Fort Scott, KS Area. The reporter will attend and cover local government meetings (city and county), community events and other newsworthy activities, producing accurate, timely stories for online publication. Daily responsibilities include researching and verifying information, conducting interviews, gathering documents and public records, and writing clear news articles and summaries. The role may also involve capturing photos or basic multimedia content, collaborating with editors on story selection and angles, and meeting regular deadlines. The reporter is expected to maintain high ethical standards, represent The Bourbon County Monitor professionally in the community, and contribute ideas for ongoing coverage of local issues.
Qualifications - (qualifications listed below are not required; we will train the right candidate)
- Strong reporting skills, including newsgathering, source development, and fact-checking
- Excellent writing and news writing abilities, with a focus on clarity, accuracy, and AP-style or similar standards
- Effective communication skills for interviewing, community interaction, and collaboration with editors
- Basic multimedia skills, such as photography, audio or video capture
- Ability to work on-site in the Fort Scott, KS Area and travel locally for meetings and events
- Ability to meet deadlines, manage multiple assignments, and work independently
- Commitment to ethical, nonpartisan reporting and serving diverse community audiences