About Lookout Local

Lookout Eugene-Springfield’s mission is to provide fair, accurate, and non-partisan news, focusing on the role of business in shaping a community through taxes and jobs. We are committed to reviving local journalism and engaging with the community to reflect their needs and interests. Lookout Eugene-Springfield now approaches its first anniversary, having already achieved great traction — audience, membership, advertising, and community trust -- It is part of Lookout Local, a now fast-growing, next-generation West Coast-based local news network. Lookout Santa Cruz won the 2024 Pulitzer for Breaking News, and Lookout's fiercely mission- and business-driven model is gaining national attention. Check out our network page: https://lookout.co/network.

Our workplaces are in-person, in-community, collaborative and collegial. We are building a diverse, highly skilled and mission-driven group of journalists, community builders and business people intent on maintaining our culture of learning, growth and community service.

About the role

For years, coverage of the arts community has been neglected as coverage priorities changed. We want a highly skilled journalist to join our team who will immerse themselves in the arts, entertainment and culture of Eugene and Springfield.  We want a reporter who will go beyond just telling readers what is happening and tell the stories behind the events and productions.  We want a reporter who shines a light on the organizations and culture of Lane County.  You know these people because you talk with them and attend their events. 

We don’t want a critic, but someone who looks at the community with a critical eye. That includes finding novel angles for arts features and bringing a news reporter’s eye to the stories and trends behind the arts today. 

You are a storyteller who has built, or will build, a robust database of diverse sources that represent all of Lane County. You are passionate about art galleries, dance, literature and the local readers who love it, classical music and theater as well as the offbeat or non-traditional activities that keep people busy at night and on weekends. (Including, but not limited to, a Jell-O Art Show, a SLUG Queen coronation, and, of course, the annual Oregon Country Fair.)

This journalist will build on the strong foundation of our first Arts, Culture and Entertainment Correspondent, who was recently promoted to a new position at Lookout Local.

Requirements

• Reporting and Storytelling:
• • Provide timely, useful, and connect-the-dots reporting
  • Create narrative stories that give readers a fair, accurate, and non-partisan sense of the news that matters most to them
  • Collaborate with colleagues on breaking news and in-depth pieces
  • Conduct thorough research and investigations, verify facts and cross-check information to ensure reliability
  • Write clear, concise, and compelling stories in various styles, from breaking news to in-depth features
  • Look for ways to help readers participate in their communities and to be of service to them
• Digital Proficiency:
• • Work at the cadence of digital publishing, ensuring timely updates and responsiveness to breaking news
  • Have experience and comfort with developing content for social media — including video
• Collaboration and Teamwork:
• • Collaborate with fellow journalists and editors to share insights, story ideas, resources, and expertise
• Community Engagement:
• • Engage with the community to understand their needs and interests, reflecting this in reporting
  • Build and maintain a network of sources and contacts
  • Develop relationships with key community members, officials, and experts
  • Represent Lookout Eugene-Springfield at community events and forums

Qualifications

• Proven, relevant experience as a journalist with a track record of timely and impactful reporting.
• Strong narrative storytelling skills with a commitment to fair, accurate, and non-partisan journalism.
• Proficiency with digital publishing tools and a keen interest in emerging technologies.
• Deep understanding of beat reporting and the ability to develop and maintain a network of sources.
• Demonstrated ability to serve readers’ news and information needs.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Passion for Lookout Eugene-Springfield’s mission and a deep understanding of the local community.

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary and performance-based incentives.
• Full-time benefits include highly competitive medical, dental, and optical benefits, and 401(k) with matching.
• Good PTO allowances
• Stock options in our growing company
• An opportunity to make a significant impact on and contribute to the revival of local journalism.
• A collaborative and mission-driven work environment.