General Assignment Reporter

Position: General assignment reporter

Position Type: Full-time

Reports to: Editor

Location: Canmore, Alta.

The paper:

The Rocky Mountain Outlook was created in 2001 to cover the Bow Valley region of Alberta, which includes Canmore, Banff, the Îyârhe (Stoney) Nakoda First Nation, the MD of Bighorn, Lake Louise and Banff National Park. It’s situated in some of the most scenic areas in North America and has a print circulation of about 9,000 issues each week with a digital readership of more than 330,000 each month.

The Outlook has been recognized both provincially and nationally at the National Newspaper Awards, Canadian Journalism Foundation awards, Alberta Weekly Newspaper Association awards, the News Photographers Association of Canada, the Canadian Community Newspaper Association awards and the Canadian Association of Journalists awards. The news, sports, Indigenous, political coverage, investigative and photography work have regularly been honoured.

Community journalism is at the core of what our entire newsroom does in one of the most dynamic news environments in Canada. The successful applicant will join a newsroom of six editorial staff.

The company:

Great West Media is a Canadian community newspaper publishing company headquartered in St. Albert, Alberta. Great West Media has more than a dozen print and digital publications in Alberta, focusing on providing exceptional community news to its readers.

Their news division features award-winning journalists who engage hundreds of thousands of readers through its brands each week.

The opportunity:

The Rocky Mountain Outlook is seeking a full-time general assignment reporter who will help drive coverage of issues and events and provide a well-rounded approach to journalism in a variety of functions: writing, reporting, taking pictures, shooting video, and publishing work through social media.

After a three-month probation period, the successful candidate will gain benefits including dental, vision care and extended health care. Following a year, the reporter will be eligible to join the company’s Group RRSP program.

What you’ll do:

• The successful candidate will primarily be the beat reporter for the MD of Bighorn, school board and some coverage in the Town of Canmore and Banff National Park. However, breaking news, courts, arts and entertainment, sports, environmental issues and other topics may be assigned or pitched.
• Report and write stories for print, web and mobile audiences.
• Cover between five to eight stories a week as assigned or pitch potential articles for the paper.
• This is a reporting and not photojournalism position.

Qualifications:

• Excellent reporting and writing skills are required, as well as the ability to thrive under pressure.
• Proven success in producing well-written, well-researched content and the ability to work quickly, independently and meet deadlines.
• Minimum one year of experience in journalism with a deadline-oriented reporting/writing role.
• Experience with InDesign and Photoshop is preferred and familiarity in digital platforms and multimedia journalism is important.
• Must be available to work day and evening shifts. Some weekend work required.
• A reliable car and a valid driver's licence are required. The Outlook offers a paid mileage rate.

Should you be interested in this opportunity please forward a cover letter, resume and three to five samples of published work to: [email protected]

We thank in advance all applicants for their interest, however only those candidates under consideration will be contacted. Only candidates legally eligible to work in Canada will be considered. No phone calls or agencies please.

The Rocky Mountain Outlook is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes resumes from all qualified candidates.