Senior B.C. Reporter

The Narwhal

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Narwhal is hiring a Senior B.C. Reporter to pursue ambitious journalism about the natural world in British Columbia. This role is for a reporter who can move between investigations, narrative features, analysis, and news to produce stories that might otherwise go untold. The candidate should be comfortable reporting across multiple formats, meeting deadlines, filing freedom of information requests, cultivating long-term sources, and collaborating with the audience team. The ideal candidate has at least eight years of reporting experience and a strong track record of telling complicated stories beautifully and with care. They should understand the province’s environmental and political landscape, including Indigenous Rights, climate change, biodiversity, energy, forestry, mining, agriculture, and development, and how these issues intersect with communities and everyday people. Beyond reporting, the candidate is expected to contribute to a collaborative newsroom, acting as a mentor for other reporters, providing guidance, sharing knowledge, supporting team processes, and upholding The Narwhal’s values. The right person will be committed to a high level of responsibility and demonstrate clear leadership.

Requirements

Minimum eight years of reporting experience or equivalent
Demonstrated experience in investigative and field-based reporting
Experience reporting on climate, environment, energy, biodiversity, Indigenous Rights, conservation, land use or related topics
Extensive experience reporting in and about diverse or underrepresented communities
Extensive experience producing stories that incorporate multiple perspectives and avoid binary framing
Experience working in a collaborative newsroom, including remote and cross-functional teams
Strong writing skills across news, features and investigative work
Strong research and investigative skills, including freedom of information processes, data analysis and public records research
Demonstrated success building and maintaining a source network, with an emphasis on diversity across geography, lived experience and background
Strong understanding of environment, climate, biodiversity, energy and policy issues in British Columbia
Working understanding of Indigenous Rights and issues and a demonstrated commitment to ongoing learning and relationship-based reporting
Familiarity with solutions journalism and trauma-informed journalism practices
Demonstrates a mastery of The Narwhal’s style of journalism, editorial focus and tone, including “complicating the narrative” and reporting that bridges divides of all varieties
Strong communication, organization and time management skills
Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative, distributed team
Proficiency with digital newsroom tools and content management systems
Experience providing mentorship to peers and less experienced journalists
Demonstrates an understanding of how reporting supports The Narwhal’s non-profit funding model and related audience goals
Applicants must be eligible to work in Canada.

Responsibilities

Research, develop and produce high-quality journalism, including long-form features, news, investigations, video and other multimedia
Exhibits a mastery of a specific beat(s), superior judgement and ability to break stories and get scoops
Consistently produce a minimum of three published pieces per month
Deliver impactful in-depth reporting, including at least six investigations and/or on-the-ground stories annually
Manage multiple leads and assignments, prioritize effectively and meet deadlines
Generate original story ideas aligned with editorial priorities, while also enthusiastically taking on assignments from their bureau chief and other handling editors
Contribute to cross-team projects or cross-newsroom collaborations or co-publications
Use freedom of information systems and public data to support reporting
Build, develop and maintain a network of diverse sources
Keep organized records of reporting materials and files in designated team folders
Coordinate with photojournalists, including on travel for reporting trips
Attend in-person conferences, legislative sessions, press conferences, interviews, etc., as required
Ensure reporting is factually accurate and meets legal and editorial standards
Source images and load articles to the website, as required
Produce reporting that consistently delivers exceptional impact, such as: use by experts; republication; collaboration with other media outlets; invitations to panels and broadcast shows; policy discussion and change
Support audience goals and engagement initiatives, including newsletters, webinars, member and community events
Provide mentorship and guidance to other reporters
Share knowledge, tools and reporting best practices with the team, including occasionally leading staff workshops and training
Foster a collaborative work environment by sharing ideas and credit generously
Lead and support team processes and internal systems
Stay updated on journalism best practices and industry standards, pursue ongoing professional development, sharing insights and recommendations to improve team and editorial processes
Provide editorial support in the absence of a bureau chief, as required