| Date Posted | February 23, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Industry | Newspapers |
| Specialty | Not Specified |
| Job Status | Full-time |
| Salary | Not Specified |
Description:
The Georgia Trust for Local News is seeking a curious, community-minded and highly innovative journalist to help tell the story of Albany and Southwest Georgia. As a Community Reporter at The Albany Herald, you will not simply parachute into a place. You will become part of it. You will build relationships, meet people where they are and tap into the rhythms, challenges and celebrations that define life across the region.
This role blends strong, on-the-ground reporting with experimentation and audience growth. You will cover the core institutions and people shaping Albany and Southwest Georgia while also helping the Georgia Trust for Local News imagine new ways to reach and serve readers.
For day-to-day reporting, you will report to the editor of The Albany Herald and contribute regularly to the paper’s digital and print coverage. At the same time, you will work closely with the executive editor of the Georgia Trust for Local News on audience engagement strategies and the development of new editorial products for this market.
This job has range. One day you may be breaking down what happened at a city council or school board meeting, turning dense agendas and bureaucratic decisions into stories that matter. The next, you might be interviewing a family running a longtime neighborhood business, covering a community festival, unpacking a public safety trend or explaining an economic shift in a way that helps readers understand what is changing around them.
We are looking for a reporter who sees a city council agenda as a roadmap and a community conversation as an opportunity. You should know how to spot what matters, ask sharp questions and hold institutions to account. You should also be eager to experiment with new formats and platforms that help local journalism reach people where they already are.
WHAT YOU’LL DO
- Report daily and enterprise stories that reflect the needs, concerns and experiences of residents across Albany and Southwest Georgia.
- Report day to day to the editor of The Albany Herald, contributing to the paper’s core local coverage.
- Collaborate with the executive editor of the Georgia Trust for Local News on audience engagement strategies and new editorial products, including but not limited to e-newsletters, podcasts, short-form social video and other emerging formats.
- Balance quick-turn reporting with longer enterprise, explanatory and solutions-focused projects.
- Build and maintain a strong, inclusive network of sources throughout the region.
- Attend local meetings, events and community gatherings to stay informed and visible in the community.
- File open records requests and work with public data, budgets and documents when needed.
- Produce clean, accurate copy on deadline.
- Shoot photos and short video as needed.
- Use a WordPress-based content management system to publish digital stories.
QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS
- Candidates should have at least one year of journalism experience, which may include work in a college newsroom or internships.
- Formal journalism education is helpful but not required. We are open to strong communicators who can be trained in community journalism practices, Associated Press style and core principles of journalistic ethics.
- We are especially interested in candidates who are curious, adaptable and excited to try new approaches to storytelling and audience engagement.
- Experience with newsletters, audio, video, social platforms, content management systems, photography and design tools is helpful but not required.
- Training and support will be provided.
SALARY
The salary for this position is $45,000 per year.
BENEFITS
- Employer-provided health insurance through Cigna, with the employee paying a small percentage of the premium; spouse and family coverage is available at an additional cost.
- 100% employer-paid vision and dental insurance through Cigna.
- Optional cafeteria plan, including disability and life insurance.
- Paid time off.
- Major holidays off.
- Mileage reimbursement for work-related travel.
- Ongoing professional development opportunities through the Georgia Trust for Local News and the National Trust for Local News.
REQUIREMENTS
This is an in-person role based in Albany, Georgia. Candidates must have a valid Georgia driver’s license, reliable transportation and vehicle insurance. The role requires eight-hour shifts, Monday through Friday, with occasional evening and weekend work as news requires. Strong writing, reporting and communication skills are essential. Journalism experience is preferred.
HOW TO APPLY
Please send a resume and three reporting clips to Joshua Wilson, executive editor of the Georgia Trust for Local News, at joshua@gtln.org.
ABOUT THE GEORGIA TRUST FOR LOCAL NEWS
The Georgia Trust for Local News is a nonprofit network of 20 community newsrooms across Middle and South Georgia, publishing a mix of print newspapers, digital outlets and social media coverage. Founded in 2023 as part of the National Trust for Local News, the Georgia Trust for Local News works to strengthen and grow local journalism across Georgia alongside sister operations in Colorado and Maine.
ABOUT THE ALBANY HERALD
Founded in 1891, The Albany Herald is Albany’s longest-serving news organization, delivering news, sports and community coverage across metro Albany and Southwest Georgia. Based in the heart of the city, the Herald provides a trusted and widely read source for local reporting, commentary and advertising.
ABOUT OUR LOCAL NEWS MISSION
Our mission is to practice community journalism that begins with listening and builds coverage around the real needs, concerns and aspirations of the people we serve. We focus on context, accountability and solutions, prioritizing presence, relationships and transparency. We aim to elevate underrepresented voices, reflect the full diversity of our communities and connect people who need answers with those creating solutions. Our goal is journalism that adds clarity, builds trust and strengthens Middle and South Georgia.
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