Job Description
Community Journalist / print & digital – Rockland County Times (NY)We are seeking an individual for a part-time reporter position (that could turn into full-time) at our weekly newspaper organization, who has a variety of skills including writing, curating, photography and proficiency in social media. Although 1-2 years reporting experience is preferred, the quality of your reporting is most important. Someone living in Rockland or Northern New Jersey might be preferable.
The Rockland County Times was founded in 1888. We are a (paid) weekly broadsheet newspaper (currently 20-pages) with a rich tradition in being the 'weekly newspaper of record' in the county which is 20 miles from New York City. For generations our Thursday weekly print product was the only way our readers got the news. We cover everything from politics (
we are currently interviewing the two candidates running for the 17th congressional district ) to crime to entertainment, community events and stories about local businesses. You will have a variety of stories every week around the county and have creative latitude of what to cover here.
Today we use print, web, social media and email newsletters to bring the news to our readers. We have a steady, loyal, paid readership. You will be working under a managing editor journalist, who will guide you through coverage. We wish to onboard as soon as possible. Working more hours is possible.
Job specs
: - You will be in the office 3 days a week (somewhat flexible) to contact and interview sources relevant to communities in Rockland every week. From the office you will go out to cover events, build our 'Community News' section and write enterprise stories.
- You will have a schedule of digital content to upload on our wordpress website.
- You will assist in design decisions for the print edition and will upload select stories on our social media accounts.
Key Factors for advancing in this job:
- Collaborating with all teams (editorial, marketing, distribution) to develop an engagement strategy that ensures growth, such as newsletters, social media, in-person engagement strategies, polls and more.
- Own and foster relationships across the community so you get news that our sites and print publication can put out in a ‘real-news’ way.
- Post daily (either social media or website) with the expectation to meet goals.
- Be able to personally cover events throughout the county.
Necessary Skills:
MS Word or Google Docs
Ability to work a CMS (content management system) for a web site
Knowledge in the use of Twitter, facebaak and instagram
A dynamic personality who is curious, hard working and focused
Knowledge of sports is helpful, but not required, as some local sports coverage can be part of the gig.
A basic knowledge of indesign & photoshop is okay. A more advanced knowledge is preferable.
Our office is at 119 Main Street in Nanuet
We are hiring part time at $18 an hour, however if you are interested in full-time, indicate that in your cover letter. email resume and cover letter to pubisher@rocklandcountytimes.com
Job Tags
Weekly pay, Full time, Part time, Work at office, Local area, Immediate start, Flexible hours, 3 days per week