General assignment report

Description:

A rural news operation in Oregon with a national reputation seeks an early-career journalist who is ready to grow and learn. The Malheur Enterprise has earned success with its enterprise and watchdog reporting while still capturing the essence of community life. You will work under the direction of Les Zaitz, an experienced coach, a two-time Pulitzer finalist and a national SPJ Fellow. You will cover local government, social issues such as poverty, and other stories as assigned or as you discover them.

What do you need to qualify? We aren't the place to learn how to write a news lead. Basic journalism experience is the foundation you bring to us on which we'll build. Spanish, spoken and written, would be a huge plus.

Here's the deal. We don't expect journalists to stay with us forever. We view ourselves as an advanced training camp for reporters who want to excel in the profession. Join our team, learn skills you won't get anywhere else, and then we'll help advance you to larger organizations. Our previous staffers moved on to AP, The Oregonian, Reuters and more.

Applicants should first research Malheur County and the Malheur Enterprise (to see what's been accomplished). Give a listen to the piece NPR's "Morning Edition" did on the Enterprise: https://www.npr.org/2018/11/26/670058419/digging-deep-into-local-news-a-small-newspaper-in-rural-oregon-is-thriving

We require three elements to your application: your resume, a cover letter illustrating what you have learned about us and our community and why you would be a good fit, and three recent stories that show your abilities.  A generic cover letter not showing any research will earn an automatic rejection. Email your packet to: les@malheurenterprise.com. DEADLINE: Oct. 25.