Reporter

Job Description

Title: General Reporter

Are you a versatile journalist with a passion for storytelling? Do you thrive in a fast-paced, digital-centric environment? Join our team at The Pioneer Newspaper and help redefine local news coverage with impactful and engaging journalism.

Why The Pioneer Newspaper? We are a leading news organization known for our high standards and impactful journalism. Our team is dedicated to providing best-in-class coverage that serves the community with integrity and dedication. We offer a dynamic and supportive work environment with opportunities for professional growth.

Job Description:

We are seeking a versatile, ambitious, and audience-focused journalist to join our fast-paced newsroom. The successful candidate will cover a wide range of topics, from breaking news and trending stories to in-depth enterprise pieces. This role requires a self-starter with strong news judgment, creativity, and the ability to work collaboratively with various newsroom teams.

What will you do?

• Report and Write: Cover critical subject areas, producing news articles for our digital platforms and print editions. Topics may include politics, crime, education, housing, climate change and more.
• Breaking News: Be a leader in covering breaking news stories, quickly reporting and writing to provide the most timely and authoritative information.
• Multimedia Storytelling: Utilize various digital tools and platforms to create engaging multimedia content, including photos, videos, Facebook live and interactive elements.
• Collaboration: Work closely with editors and other team members to produce high-impact digital projects in addition to stories.
• Engagement: Monitor search trends, local, state and national news, and social media for trending stories. Engage with the audience through social media and other platforms.
• Live Coverage: Participate in live coverage of major events, either on-site or coordinating feeds from other reporters.
• Enterprise Reporting: Follow up on breaking news with in-depth enterprise stories that provide context and deeper insights.
  
  
  

What will it take to be successful?

• Experience: Minimum of three years of experience in a modern newsroom or related work environment.
• Skills: Strong news judgment, creativity, meticulousness, and the ability to write with clarity and authority. Comfortable with multimedia storytelling and social media engagement.
• Collaboration: Ability to work effectively with various newsroom teams and adapt to a fast-changing news environment.
• Education: Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, or a related field preferred or equivalent experience.
• Technical Proficiency: Knowledge of multimedia tools and platforms, data analysis, and metrics to inform coverage decisions.
• Location: Must be based in the region or willing to relocate to Big Rapid, Michigan.
  
  
  

Our Benefits: At Hearst Newspapers, we not only support our employees through personal and professional development, but we also believe in promoting each individual’s physical, financial and emotional wellbeing (and that of their family). Our industry-leading benefits include:

• Physical Wellbeing: Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage to keep you and your family healthy.
• Invest for the Future: Competitive retirement plan with matching program in most markets.
• Generous Paid Time Off: Recharge with ample time off, including holidays and vacation.
• Paid Parental Leave: Support for growing families, with paid leave for new parents.
• Monthly Child & Dependent Care Reimbursement: Financial support for the care of your loved ones.
• Emotional Wellbeing: Be your best self with our mental wellness benefits.
• LGBTQ & Inclusive Health Services: Inclusive healthcare designed for every individual’s unique needs.
• Fertility Coverage & Menopause Support: Helping you along every step of your family journey.
• Pet Wellness Reimbursement & Rover Credits: We care about your pets, too – helping you keep them happy and healthy.
• And more, click here for additional benefits and details.
  
  
  

About The Pioneer Newspaper:

The Pioneer Newspaper was founded on April 17, 1862, in Big Rapids, Mecosta County, Michigan. The area is rich in farmland and lakes, and is a destination for West Michigan residents. It is located less than an hour north of Grand Rapids and a little more than an hour from the beaches of Lake Michigan. Hearst Newspapers purchased the Pioneer Newspaper in 2017 and has had continued success growing its readership and deepening its involvement in communities across the region.

About Hearst Newspapers:

With 2,500 employees across the nation, HNP represents a network of 24 daily and 52 weekly publications, including the San Francisco Chronicle, Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Express-News and Albany Times Union, marketing services businesses, and entertainment businesses such as King Features Syndicate.

At HNP, we are investing in new and innovative ways to tell stories – growing newsrooms, diversifying tools, evolving platforms – to support the millions of people who trust us each month to help them make decisions, take action and be inspired.

Be a part of something bigger – Your Headline Awaits.

Be part of a newsroom that values diverse perspectives and strives to tell stories that matter most to our readers.