Regional Staff Writer

Date Posted	August 20, 2025
Industry	Newspapers
Specialty	Not Specified
Required Education	High School Diploma
Job Status	Full-time
Salary	$30,000 to $35,000

Description:

The Ottumwa Courier and The Oskaloosa Herald are seeking a full-time regional staff writer to join our shared newsroom this fall. This Ottumwa-based role focuses on local government, general assignment, features and enterprise reporting across south-central and southeast Iowa. This position will be paid hourly and work 40 hours per week.

About the role

As a regional staff writer, you will produce stories for The Ottumwa Courier, The Oskaloosa Herald, and affiliated publications. You will:

• Cover local government in Pella and Marion County, and, as needed, other communities across our coverage area.

• Report general assignment, features, and enterprise stories that connect with readers.

• Collaborate across our regional newsroom serving Ottumwa, Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Marion County, and surrounding counties.

• Contribute to digital coverage with timely, accurate reporting.

This is primarily a reporting role, with the potential for advancement into editor-level positions in the future. The anticipated story load is an average of 1-2 published stories per work day.

What we’re looking for

• Strong reporting, writing, and storytelling skills.

• Ability to cover a wide range of topics with accuracy and curiosity.

• Initiative to build sources, pitch enterprise ideas, and pursue meaningful journalism.

• Familiarity with AP style and journalism ethics.

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism/communications preferred; relevant experience considered.

• Professional or collegiate reporting experience, as well as photography skills, are a plus.

• Bilingual candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Spanish language skills are especially valuable in serving Wapello County’s growing Hispanic and Latino population, which has increased significantly over the past decade, along with other diverse communities in our readership area.

Why join us

• Be part of a regional newsroom known for impactful, community-driven journalism.

• Serve readers in one of Iowa’s most diverse regions.

• Build a strong portfolio across daily coverage and longer-form features.

• Work with a collaborative team recognized for aggressive investigative reporting.

• Company benefits include paid time off, accrued sick time, access to health insurance benefits, company-paid life insurance, and more.

About The Ottumwa Courier & Oskaloosa Herald

• The Ottumwa Courier publishes two print editions per week (Tuesday, Saturday) and covers Ottumwa and Wapello County, as well as Appanoose, Davis, Jefferson, and Monroe counties. Founded in 1848, The Courier has more than 175 years of service to its community.

• The Oskaloosa Herald publishes a weekly print edition on Saturday, and covers Mahaska and Marion counties. This year, The Oskaloosa Herald celebrated its 175th year of publishing.

Together, The Courier and Herald operate a regional newsroom dedicated to informing and engaging our communities. Both newspapers are owned by CNHI, LLC, which operates more than 80 publications across 19 states. CNHI is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, national origin, or any other legally-protected status, unless such status constitutes a bona fide occupational qualification and will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and for religious beliefs.

How to apply

Email a résumé, 3-5 writing samples, and a brief cover letter to:
Kyle Ocker, Publisher & Editor — kocker@ottumwacourier.com

Your cover letter should highlight:

• Your interest in journalism and community newspapers, especially in rural areas.

• The skills and experiences you bring that make you a strong candidate.