In the 15 years since it was founded, VTDigger has become Vermont’s essential source of news and investigation — and a model for sustainable, nonprofit journalism across the country.

We work to promote our mission of producing rigorous journalism that explains complex issues, promotes public accountability and fosters democratic and civic engagement each and every day.

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Are you interested in writing deeply reported, scientific-based climate and energy stories about Vermont — and mentoring the next generation of environmental journalists in one of the most cutting-edge local news initiatives? 

VTDigger and the University of Vermont’s Community News Service is searching for a versatile reporter & instructor to lead a new partnership to bolster environmental journalism in the state and to train and inspire the next generation of environmental reporters. 

This environmental journalism professional brings together two institutions dedicated to illuminating the challenges Vermont faces in a changing climate — and the opportunities it has to address the crisis and adapt to its impacts. They leverage VTDigger’s reporting resources and statewide reach, as well as the University of Vermont’s research and expertise, to bring a new level of understanding to readers and students alike. They use their academic and professional expertise to produce enterprising journalism that becomes essential reading for environmental and energy professionals, advocates, policymakers, community leaders, voters, and residents impacted by environmental policy and practices.

The Environmental Reporter & Instructor spends time reporting and writing for VTDigger, and advising Community News Service students on environmental journalism, as an instructor. At VTDigger, they’ll bring to bear scientific training and experience in their journalism. They serve as an interpreter of academic literature for a curious general audience, covering climate change, environmental policy, energy generation and transmission, land use and development, water quality, agriculture, forestry and wildlife management. 

At the Community News Service, they serve as a point person within the University of Vermont for environmental reporting. They mentor and advise student journalists and facilitate the publication of those students’ work in VTDigger and other publications around the state. This can include creating story assignments, providing guidance on source materials and experts, and generating new ideas for UVM’s environmental coverage. There will also be opportunities for multimedia collaboration with CCN’s public media reporting team, data visualization engineer, and social media efforts. 

This position is a perfect fit for those equally passionate about environmental journalism and teaching. 

Compensation & benefits: The salary range for this full-time role is $65,000 to $75,000 annually, commensurate with education and experience. We offer industry-leading benefits in a positive and flexible work culture. These include 5+ weeks of paid time off, plus holidays, parental leave, generous employer contribution to medical insurance, available group vision and dental insurance, and employer-provided EAP, life and disability insurance. We offer a 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Writes 6-8 original in-depth enterprise and/or investigative stories for publication in VTDigger each month
• Champions environmental reporting with student journalists at the Center for Community News/Community News Service at UVM
• Coaches Center for Community News/Community News Service interns to produce environmental journalism for republication in Vermont news outlets
• Generates compelling pitches and cultivates sources on the beat 
• Fulfills story assignments made by editors
• Meets deadlines set in collaboration with editors and works collaboratively through the editing process
• Works with multimedia team to ensure stories include strong visual, data and audio/video elements when possible
• Provides timely internal updates about the impact of their work
• Contributes to legislative coverage
• Reports in-person when possible to establish relationships with sources in the environmental community
• Closely monitors local, state and national media coverage — as well as the scientific literature — in search of fresh angles on established stories
• Places public records requests and seeks out investigative pieces
• Communicates professionally with sources, readers and colleagues
• Attends and participates in newsroom, all-staff and, as needed, cross-functional team meetings
• Attends VTDigger and UVM events, as needed

Position Requirements

• Commitment and dedication to VTDigger’s and the University of Vermont’s missions, goals and values
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Commitment to accuracy and fairness
• Adherence to the highest ethical standards
• A digital-first mentality
• Commitment to cultivating and developing an inclusive culture and working relationships across the organizations and enhancing a sense of belonging
• Communicative and collaborative across the organizations, with employees and with VTDigger’s audiences
• Maintaining high standards of expectations for themself, their team, the leadership and the organizations
• Commitment to continual improvement and learning

Skills and Experience

• Master’s degree in environmental science or related discipline required
• At least 3 years of professional environmental reporting preferred
• Ability to meet deadlines
• Demonstrated ability to cover a beat
• Passion for enterprise and investigative reporting
• Clear understanding of journalism principles, standards and style
• Curiosity, flexibility and a willingness to tackle stories over a range of subjects

Working Conditions

The Center for Community News/Community News Service is based on the UVM campus in Burlington, and VTDigger’s office is located in Montpelier, Vermont. The Environmental Reporter & Instructor will have a shared office space at UVM, and must attend weekly CCN/CNS staff meetings in-person and be available in-person or remotely to student mentees on a regular basis. They must otherwise follow VTDigger’s office attendance protocols. They must work from Vermont.

Hours

Reporters typically work from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, but exact hours will vary based on news needs. The Environmental Reporter & Instructor may occasionally cover events at night and over the weekend, in consultation with their editor.

Physical Demands

Work involves accomplishing most duties from a seated or standing position. This position may involve frequent bending, standing for extended periods of time, walking and working in all types of weather conditions. Transportation to assignments around the region, conducting in-person interviews and attending public meetings are necessary. There is potential for eye strain from reading detailed materials on a computer screen. Deadlines, workloads during peak periods, and changing priorities may cause increased stress levels. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Application process and deadline

• Interested candidates will submit a letter of interest and resume
• Three sample work packages/clips should be emailed to HR@vtdigger.org
• Your letter of interest should explain what makes you uniquely qualified for this position and be no longer than one page.
• The deadline to apply is February 25, 2025, at 6 p.m. E.T., or until the position is filled. 

We recognize there are great candidates who may not think they’re the right fit for this job or who have important skills and experiences we haven’t considered. If that sounds like you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us more about yourself. VTDigger is committed to constantly improving our organization, in part by better reflecting the communities we serve. We are dedicated to creating an inclusive workplace for all people. We especially encourage members of communities that are traditionally underrepresented and misrepresented in the media to apply to join our team, including those who are Black, Indigenous or people of color; women; LGBTQ+ people, and people with disabilities.