Cardinal News is looking for an experienced journalist to cover the Roanoke Valley.
Who we’re looking for
We’re looking for someone who can identify and write about trends affecting the region, as well as be available for spot news. This reporter should be knowledgeable about what local governments are doing and how their actions affect residents. We are looking for a journalist who has demonstrated the ability to provide context and connect the dots on stories of regional importance.
This reporter will write a mix of short-, medium- and long-range stories and write two stories a week on average. We’re focused on impact, either through stories that are investigative in nature or that provide in-depth exploration of an important topic that hasn’t received attention. We’re big fans of using FOIA requests and publicly available data to inform your work. We have a collaborative culture that encourages working with fellow reporters, whether it be sharing information and ideas or working on formal projects. Reporters also take an active role in working with our audience engagement manager to create visual and social media content to accompany articles.
Who we are
Cardinal News is an independent, nonprofit news site covering Southwest and Southside Virginia, two parts of our state that have often been left out of the statewide conversation and left behind by a changing economy. Founded in 2021, we have already won multiple awards, including startup of the year from INN and an award for financial health from LION Publishers. We began with two reporters and now are set to hire our ninth reporter. We are now the biggest online-only news site in the state and are primed to pass the biggest legacy newspaper in our coverage area.
More about Roanoke
This journalist must have transportation and live in or be willing to relocate to the Roanoke Valley, a metro area of about 300,000 that is next to the Appalachian Trail, the Blue Ridge Parkway and Smith Mountain Lake. This is an excellent opportunity for a journalist who wants to practice serious journalism and tell an important story about a community in transition, a community where big stories are happening that go unreported.
As our reporters cover a wide geographic area, we don’t have a newsroom and everyone works primarily from home.
Roanoke-area reporters also have access to a coworking space.
Benefits
Benefits include a 401(k) match, health insurance, PTO starting at 10 days annually and increasing with experience, and a monthly phone allowance. Employees are encouraged to pursue opportunities to build on their skills, and an annual stipend is available to put toward conferences or other work-related educational pursuits.
To apply, send your resume, a brief cover letter, and your favorite clips to jobs@cardinalnews.org.