Breaking News/General Assignment Reporter-Missoula, MT

Lee Enterprises•Missoula, MT

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Missoulian is seeking a Breaking News/General Assignment Reporter who possesses a strong news sense, enjoys covering fast-moving news, and is curious and persistent in chasing stories. This role is for a journalist who thrives on breaking news but also loves digging into the everyday stories that define a community. When news breaks, you will be the first person on scene, ready to provide readers with need-to-know details and follow through afterward with any developments. You will also tackle a mix of general assignments and enterprise reporting for Missoula and the surrounding region, including the Bitterroot Valley. No two days will look exactly the same; you might be chasing breaking news, filing quick and clean updates, or turning a developing situation into a well-reported story that provides readers with depth, context and impact. Coverage will span a wide range of topics, including public safety, courts, education, business, arts, and health care. Assignments are driven by where the biggest coverage needs are on a given day or week. You will work closely with editors, photographers, and fellow reporters, balancing speed with accuracy and always keeping strong journalism at the center of the work. The newsroom is digital-forward. While prior experience with SEO, web headline writing, analytics, or video is not required, a curiosity and willingness to learn are essential. The ideal candidate is comfortable working independently, eager to take initiative, and collaborative by nature, contributing positively to a team-oriented newsroom that relies on trust, communication, and shared responsibility to cover the news well.

Requirements

Strong news sense
Likes the rush of covering breaking news
Curious about everything
Not afraid to chase a story and ask tough questions
Curiosity and willingness to learn (regarding SEO, web headline writing, analytics, or video)
Comfortable working independently
Eager to take initiative
Collaborative by nature
Contributes positively to a team-oriented newsroom that relies on trust, communication, and shared responsibility

Nice To Haves

Prior experience with SEO
Prior experience with web headline writing
Prior experience with analytics
Prior experience with video

Responsibilities

Cover breaking news, being the first person on scene
Provide readers with need-to-know details and follow through afterward with any developments
Tackle a mix of general assignments and enterprise reporting for Missoula and the surrounding region, including the Bitterroot Valley
File quick and clean updates
Turn a developing situation into a well-reported story that provides readers with depth, context and impact
Cover a wide range of topics, including public safety, courts, education, business, arts, and health care
Work closely with editors, photographers, and fellow reporters
Balance speed with accuracy and always keep strong journalism at the center of the work