Full-time reporter: $37,440 salary/based on experience plus employer-paid health and dental benefits. Generous paid time off.
Street Roots is hiring a full-time reporter/assistant editor who wants to apply their talents to the
world of nonprofit, advocacy journalism for a weekly newspaper. Street Roots is currently a bi-
weekly publication. Street Roots anticipates going to a weekly publication schedule in the near
future. This position will fill out our editorial staffing to make that possible.
Description: This is a full-time reporter position based in Portland, Oregon. This is not a
position for activists interested in trying their hand at writing, but for journalists serious about
covering difficult and complex issues.
Areas of coverage include poverty and homelessness, health care, immigration issues, local, state
and federal policy, personalities and culture. Assignments will be long-term or short-term
projects, typically ranging from a week or less turnaround for news pieces, with some larger
projects taking weeks to develop. This reporter should expect to have at least one story in every
edition of the paper.
This person will report to the managing editor and work with the entire staff in securing sources,
understanding the issues and developing appropriate story ideas. The Street Roots’ news team
includes several freelance reporters and professional photographers who will also be contributing
content. As an organization, Street Roots values personal and professional development.
Qualifications:
- Four or more
years experience writing professional journalism, both in breaking news and
enterprise projects - Ability to work
under deadline pressure, producing at least one story in each edition - Skill in
generating story ideas with unique angles -
Able to develop
and maintain sources across a variety of political and social backgrounds -
Able to investigate
issues beyond the official line, and write engaging and compelling articles in
ways not covered in mainstream newspapers. -
Versatility in
covering a range of issues related to social and economic justice, with an
understanding of the dynamics of poverty and homelessness -
Proficient with
social media and basic website interaction -
Attend regular
staff and editorial committee meetings -
Understanding
of nonprofit status and advocacy roles within organization
Additional Qualifications: Street Roots is a small staff with multiple responsibilities.
Depending on the candidates, this position could be expanded to include managing some content
and design responsibilities. If appropriate, this would include coordinating columnists and other
writers on projects as needed, and some pagination using InDesign.
About us: Street Roots is a 501 ©3 organization. Street Roots creates income opportunities for
people experiencing homelessness and poverty by producing a newspaper and other media that
are catalysts for individual and social change. We are an award-winning newspaper, currently
publishing more than 11,000 papers every two weeks for circulation in Portland, Oregon. Street
Roots is sold on the streets by people experiencing homelessness and poverty.
Street Roots is a member of the International Network of Street Papers. As such, we share
content through the Street News Service, allowing work from Street Roots to reach a wider
audience in major cities across the United States and the world.
How to apply: Please send your resume and three samples of your work Managing Editor
Joanne Zuhl at joanne@streetroots.org. Please label your e-mail in the subject line: “weekly
reporter.” Closing date for accepting resumes is Sept. 29.
Street Roots is an equal opportunity program and does not discriminate in employment or the
provision of public services on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin,
citizenship status, age, disability, political affiliation or belief.
Street Roots Mission: Street Roots is a nonprofit newspaper assisting people experiencing
homelessness and poverty by creating flexible income opportunities. Through education,
advocacy and personal expression, we are a catalyst for individual and social change.
This article appears in 2014-08-29.