Overview
Street Roots is hiring a reporter to work 30 hours a week on social and/or environmental justice focused stories for a duration of four months. This position reports directly to the Street Roots newspaper editor and will be housed within the editorial branch of the Street Roots organization. This is a temporary position that will begin in mid-May and end in mid-September. Much of this reporter’s beat will depend in part on the chosen candidate’s areas of expertise and abilities. Women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community and people with lived experience as a person in poverty or as a member of another marginalized population are strongly encouraged to apply.
Primary duties
• Turn in at least one article per week
• Take photographs to accompany stories
• Conduct interviews, research and public records requests
• Fact check work rigorously
• Discuss reporting projects on Street Roots Podcast with DeVon Pouncey
• Work remotely, using own computer and phone (camera, digital recorder and other supplies will be provided as needed)
• This position may also include some social media posting, website uploading, podcast creation assistance and/or digital production, depending upon the chosen candidate’s skills and experience
Required qualifications and skills
• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications or a related field
• At least two years experience reporting for a daily or weekly newspaper
• Experience reporting on homelessness, housing, the environment, poverty, local politics, criminal justice or other social justice issues
• Firm grasp of AP Style
• Ability to take decent photographs
• Ability to turn in clean copy
• Investigative skills including public records knowledge and experience making requests
• Familiarity with Portland and Multnomah County agencies, politics and issues
• Familiarity with Oregon agencies, politics and issues
• Ability to generate story ideas and meet deadlines
• Time management skills
• Works well independently
Bonus skills and experience
• Professional social media management
• Website uploading
• Video and audio production
• Graphic design
• InDesign and Photoshop
• Bilingual, Spanish
Pay and hours
• 30 hours per week
• $2,500 per month for a total of $10,000 for four months
Equal Opportunity Employer: At Street Roots, we believe we can meet the organization’s mission only with a diverse board and staff who actively cultivate a culture of equity and inclusion.
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.
How to Apply: Please send resume, cover letter and pdfs or links to three published articles demonstrating investigative skills to emily@streetroots.org no later than midnight on Wednesday, May 13. Please put “Street Roots Contract Reporter” in subject line. All inquiries will be handled confidentially.
This article appears in Digital Edition.