Salary Range: $60,000 – $68,000 

Background: Spotlight Delaware is a new collaborative nonprofit newsroom. Spotlight Delaware is a project of the Local Journalism Initiative of Delaware, whose mission is to strengthen local journalism in Delaware to fortify our democracy and inform and engage our communities.

Opportunity: This is a unique opportunity for a Reporter to join our dynamic team. As a Reporter, you will play a pivotal role in covering the stories that matter most to our local community. We are looking for a journalist with a proven track record of in-depth reporting, a keen eye for detail, and a passion for storytelling. You will have the opportunity to delve into a wide range of topics, from local politics and community events to human interest stories that resonate with our readers. If you are a dedicated journalist with a strong commitment to upholding the highest standards of ethical journalism, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity and help us continue delivering quality news to the Delaware community.

Position Summary: The Reporter will be responsible for working closely with the Editor-In-Chief and other reporters to produce high-quality journalism that explores the impact of public policy on Delaware citizens, particularly focusing on historically underserved communities. Key duties will involve identifying and reporting stories that matter to different communities, participating in investigative projects, developing content for multiple mediums, conducting thorough research and fact-checking, and actively engaging with the audience and local community. In this nontraditional newsroom, the Reporter also will work collaboratively with editorial staff from other news outlets, at the direction of the Editor-in-Chief. Preferred qualifications include strategic thinking, experience in journalism, in-depth knowledge of Delaware’s local news landscape, community/audience engagement and innovative storytelling abilities.

Key Responsibilities 

To perform in this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each key responsibility satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  Other duties may be assigned to meet business needs.

Reporting and Storytelling

• Work closely with the Editor-In-Chief and other reporters to produce high-quality journalism that examines the impact of public policy on Delaware citizens, with a special focus on historically underserved and underrepresented communities.
• Analyze and break down complex government policies and public documents into easily digestible and relatable stories for the general public.
• Participate in investigative journalism projects, applying analytical skills and utilizing various resources to dig deeper into government-related stories and issues.
• Develop content and stories that can be effectively conveyed across various mediums – print, digital, audio, and visual – ensuring wide reach and engagement.
• Conduct thorough research, interviews, and fact-checking to ensure accuracy and credibility in all reported pieces.
• Maintain strong editorial processes and standards to ensure transparency, accountability, and consistency across the newsroom.
• Regularly review and analyze audience feedback and metrics and engage directly with the community to understand the impact of stories, adapt reporting techniques, and improve future content.

Community Engagement 

• Host and/or participate in public forums, Q&A sessions, or webinars to directly engage with the audience, answer their queries, and build a stronger relationship between the newsroom and the community.
• Establish and maintain relationships with local sources, community leaders, and experts to enrich reporting and gain valuable insights.
• Act as a newsroom representative in covering government-related events, press conferences, and other official functions.
• Remain flexible, creative, collaborative and entrepreneurial to continuously learn about and respond to community information needs. 

Education and Experience Requirements 

• Extensive experience in journalism, with a strong emphasis on investigative reporting and producing impactful stories.
• Experience with or interest in nonprofit, collaborative or other nontraditional news operations preferred.
• College degree in journalism, communications, or a related field preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

• Ability to think strategically and identify compelling stories that resonate with Delaware audiences.
• In-depth knowledge of Delaware’s local news landscape, political dynamics, and key community issues.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities, capable of building rapport with a diverse range of individuals and communities.
• Innovative mindset with a willingness to experiment with new storytelling formats and approaches.
• Passion for local journalism and its role in holding government accountable, fostering civic engagement and building community.

Work Environment 

• Fully remote role, but must reside in Delaware or surrounding area 
• Work schedule flexibility required 
• Travel: Occasional

Salary and Benefits

Salary range is commensurate with experience: $60,000 – $68,000.  Benefits include health, dental and vision coverage, retirement savings, FSA, life insurance, short-term disability, holidays and paid time off. 

To apply:   Please submit your resume and cover letter to jobs@ljidelaware.org

The Local Journalism Initiative is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status. As part of our values, we are committed to supporting inclusion and diversity. We actively celebrate colleagues’ different abilities, sexual orientation, ethnicity, faith, and gender. Everyone is welcome and supported in their development at all stages in their journey with us.