Reporter

Hearst•Alton, IL

13d•$35,360

About The Position

Are you a curious, ambitious journalist with a passion for telling stories that matter? Do you thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced newsroom? Join our team at The Telegraph in Alton, Illinois, and help strengthen local news coverage with impactful, community-focused reporting. Why The Telegraph? Located in suburban St. Louis on the Illinois side — with a stunning view of the Mississippi River right from our newsroom — The Telegraph is a leader in covering the Metro East suburbs. Our team is committed to journalism that informs, engages, and holds institutions accountable. We offer a supportive environment where reporters can grow, experiment, and create meaningful work. Job Description 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.