General Assignment Reporter

Hearst Newspapers•Alton, IL

10h•$35,360•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking an energetic, versatile General Assignment Reporter to join our newsroom. The ideal candidate is eager to pursue a mix of daily reporting, enterprise work, and accountability journalism. This role will focus on local government and business coverage, while also contributing to breaking news, quick-turn stories, and longer-term investigative pieces. The person in this position should have strong news judgment, an ability to spot compelling stories, and a desire to learn and grow in a collaborative newsroom.

Requirements

Published Work: A portfolio of published stories (student publications or professional outlets accepted).
Writing Skills: Ability to write with clarity, accuracy, and authority.
News Judgment: Strong sense of what makes a compelling local story that resonates with readers.
Initiative: A self-starter eager to learn, pitch ideas, and pursue stories independently.
Collaboration: Willingness to work with editors and peers in a fast-paced, evolving newsroom.
Education: A bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, or a related field preferred, but equivalent experience and published work will also be considered.
Location: Must be based in the region or willing to relocate.

Nice To Haves

Technical Skills: Familiarity with digital publishing, multimedia tools, and social media is a plus.

Responsibilities

Report and Write: Cover key local issues with a focus on government, business, and community impact. Produce clear, engaging stories for digital and print platforms.
Enterprise & Investigative Reporting: Develop deeper, context-rich stories that go beyond the news of the day to explain why issues matter and how they affect local readers.
Breaking News: Jump on breaking news as needed, providing timely, accurate reporting and updates.
Quick-Turn Meeting Coverage: Cover evening or nighttime public meetings periodically, filing clean, quick-turn stories on tight deadlines.
Crime Coverage: Report on crime and public safety stories as needed, ensuring accuracy, context, and sensitivity.
Digital Storytelling: Use photos, videos, live updates, and other digital tools to enhance coverage and engage audiences.
Collaboration: Work closely with editors, writers, and other newsroom teams to produce impactful journalism.
Audience Awareness: Monitor local and regional news, social media trends, and reader interests to identify strong story opportunities.