| Date Posted | October 20, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Industry | Newspapers |
| Specialty | Local News |
| Required Education | Bachelor's Degree |
| Remote / Telecommute | Hybrid |
| Job Status | Full-time |
| Salary | $45,000 to $50,000 |
Description:
Experienced Community News Reporter
Tompkins Weekly | Ithaca, New York
Full-time | $44,000–$50,000 annually, commensurate with experience
About the Opportunity
Tompkins Weekly is seeking an experienced journalist with a passion for community reporting, strong writing skills, and a commitment to accurate, meaningful local journalism.
This position requires more than a capable writer. We’re looking for a curious, resourceful reporter who enjoys meeting people, building relationships, asking thoughtful questions, and uncovering stories that might otherwise go untold.
A central responsibility is to build, maintain, and expand Tompkins Weekly’s network of community contacts throughout Tompkins County. By developing trusted relationships with local officials, educators, business owners, nonprofit leaders, organizations, and residents, this reporter will help ensure our coverage reflects the people, issues, accomplishments, and challenges that shape our communities.
The ideal candidate combines professional reporting experience with initiative, sound news judgment, strong interpersonal skills, and a willingness to embrace new technologies that improve the quality and efficiency of local journalism.
Key Responsibilities
Build and maintain a broad network of community contacts, proactively developing sources and cultivating relationships that generate original story ideas, news tips, and follow-up reporting.
Report and write accurate, engaging news stories, enterprise pieces, profiles, and human-interest features for print and digital publication.
Cover local government, education, community development, public affairs, and other issues important to Tompkins County residents.
Attend public meetings, community events, and other assignments, including occasional evening and weekend coverage.
Conduct interviews, research public records, verify information, and pursue stories that provide context, depth, and accountability.
Identify emerging issues and original story opportunities while collaborating with the editor on coverage priorities.
Contribute photography and digital content to engage readers across platforms.
Embrace new technology and appropriate AI tools to improve research, organization, transcription, fact-checking workflows, and other reporting processes while maintaining accuracy, confidentiality, editorial independence, and human oversight.
Build and maintain a broad network of community contacts, proactively developing sources and cultivating relationships that generate original story ideas, news tips, and follow-up reporting.
Report and write accurate, engaging news stories, enterprise pieces, profiles, and human-interest features for print and digital publication.
Cover local government, education, community development, public affairs, and other issues important to Tompkins County residents.
Attend public meetings, community events, and other assignments, including occasional evening and weekend coverage.
Conduct interviews, research public records, verify information, and pursue stories that provide context, depth, and accountability.
Identify emerging issues and original story opportunities while collaborating with the editor on coverage priorities.
Contribute photography and digital content to engage readers across platforms.
Embrace new technology and appropriate AI tools to improve research, organization, transcription, fact-checking workflows, and other reporting processes while maintaining accuracy, confidentiality, editorial independence, and human oversight.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in journalism required.
Three or more years of professional news-reporting experience preferred.
Strong writing, interviewing, research, fact-checking, and news judgment skills, with published work demonstrating reporting ability and storytelling.
Proven ability to develop sources, earn trust, and establish productive relationships across a community.
Familiarity with AP style, journalistic ethics, public records, and local government reporting.
Self-motivated, organized, and able to manage multiple assignments and deadlines independently.
Technologically progressive, with an interest in digital journalism and a willingness to learn and responsibly use AI tools to support original reporting and work more efficiently.
Familiarity with Tompkins County or a comparable community-news market is a plus.
Valid driver's license and reliable transportation for local reporting assignments.
Bachelor's degree in journalism required.
Three or more years of professional news-reporting experience preferred.
Strong writing, interviewing, research, fact-checking, and news judgment skills, with published work demonstrating reporting ability and storytelling.
Proven ability to develop sources, earn trust, and establish productive relationships across a community.
Familiarity with AP style, journalistic ethics, public records, and local government reporting.
Self-motivated, organized, and able to manage multiple assignments and deadlines independently.
Technologically progressive, with an interest in digital journalism and a willingness to learn and responsibly use AI tools to support original reporting and work more efficiently.
Familiarity with Tompkins County or a comparable community-news market is a plus.
Valid driver's license and reliable transportation for local reporting assignments.
What We Offer
Annual salary of $44,000–$50,000, based on experience and qualifications.
The opportunity to produce journalism that informs and connects local communities.
A varied reporting role with opportunities to develop original stories, build lasting community relationships, and pursue meaningful enterprise reporting.
The opportunity to help strengthen a trusted local publication and shape coverage that reflects the region.
Annual salary of $44,000–$50,000, based on experience and qualifications.
The opportunity to produce journalism that informs and connects local communities.
A varied reporting role with opportunities to develop original stories, build lasting community relationships, and pursue meaningful enterprise reporting.
The opportunity to help strengthen a trusted local publication and shape coverage that reflects the region.
How to Apply
Submit a résumé, a brief cover letter describing your reporting experience and interest in community journalism, and three to five writing samples.
Email applications to Todd Mallinson at ToddM@VizellaMedia.com with the subject line Experienced Community News Reporter – Tompkins Weekly.
Tompkins Weekly is committed to fair, accurate, independent journalism and is an equal opportunity employer.
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