Family-owned news organization seeks reporter

Description:

The Keene Sentinel, an award-winning locally owned newspaper in New Hampshire’s picturesque Monadnock Region, is looking for a general assignment reporter with a focus on the city of Keene, housing and Cheshire County government to join the team.

The Sentinel has been a family-owned and independent newspaper since 1799. In fact, just two families have owned The Sentinel for most of its 226 years.

The Sentinel blends a long legacy of people-first journalism with a spirit of innovation, as a digital-first operation using multimedia to diversify our storytelling beyond the printed page. At The Sentinel, you’ll find a deeply collaborative, supportive work environment that emphasizes mentorship. Our forward-focused approach extends past the media we use to the critical look we’re taking at outdated journalistic practices and – while maintaining top-tier ethical standards – our efforts to evolve beyond them.

As a general assignment reporter, you will report on a wide range of topics, while also covering core beats with no shortage of important stories.

What we are looking for:

• Excellent writing skills, and some newswriting experience (whether professional or via a college newspaper, internship or other published work)
• Curiosity; someone who isn’t afraid to follow a hunch, reach deeper and doesn’t take what authority figures say at face value
• The interest and capacity to stretch, whether new to journalism or further in one’s career
• Strong time management skills – the ability to produce daily content while also working on larger, enterprise pieces

What we can offer:

• $36,000 per year (via an hourly rate) plus benefits (health and dental insurance, sick/personal/vacation leave)
• An excellent work culture in a family-owned, independent newsroom, with colleagues and leaders passionate about journalism and its social importance
• Solid advancement opportunities, where possible: Sentinel reporters have advanced to all levels of newsroom leadership, and Sentinel alumni have moved on to larger regional papers en route to major metro and national publications. These include but aren’t limited to the Boston Globe, The New York Times, Money magazine, Business Insider, CNN and the Associated Press.
• The chance to be part of a news organization with strong community engagement that is regularly honored for its journalism. Highlights this year include being named the New England Newspaper and Press Association’s Newspaper of the Year in The Sentinel’s circulation class.

The Sentinel publishes continuously online and six days per week in its print edition. This is a 40-hour per week position that is mostly Monday through Friday, with a weekend duty rotation. Some evening and night hours are necessary, as dictated by coverage needs and breaking news. We offer employees a hybrid work environment (three days in the newsroom; two days remote), although this reporter should live or be willing to relocate within The Sentinel's coverage area. The Sentinel is an equal opportunity employer. We believe attracting and retaining diverse staff is crucial to serving our community and fulfilling our mission.

Would you like to apply or learn more about this opportunity? Please send your cover letter, resume and three clips to Executive Editor-Local News Anika Clark at aclark@keenesentinel.com. No phone calls, please.