Southwestern Utah Reporter

The nonprofit Salt Lake Tribune is looking for a reporter to serve a growing number of people in stunning southwestern Utah, which is home to two of the country’s most popular national parks, significant development and an ecologically diverse and vulnerable landscape.

You will have the opportunity to help Utahns understand how the area is navigating a period of significant change. You will cover the actions cities and towns are taking that impact their residents, the rising cost of living, transportation and local environmental concerns. We want to lead out on Zion and Bryce, as well as state parks and other recreation areas in the area.

You will focus on the issues but also solutions, for as a nonprofit newsroom we seek to create stronger communities through our reporting. Your coverage area will include Washington and Iron counties, and you will be paired with an experienced Tribune reporter who is already living in the region.

The successful reporter will keenly understand the potential to reach distinct audiences, and will know how to listen in spaces that will contribute to the surfacing of a multitude of perspectives. You will collaborate with our audience and video teams to publish journalism across platforms, reaching Utahns wherever they are. You will be capable of building trust and sourcing, and will understand when a story should be a quick turn and what deserves more attention. Both dailies and enterprise will be part of this reporter’s beat. 

This role is based in southwestern Utah.

Benefits

• Health, dental and vision insurance.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Family leave.
• Cellphone and remote work stipends.
• 3 weeks of vacation for new employees.

About The Salt Lake Tribune

The Salt Lake Tribune is the nation’s first legacy newspaper to transition to a nonprofit. Based in Salt Lake City, The Tribune is a two-time Pulitzer winner that prides itself on aggressive watchdog reporting.

Utah offers unparalleled outdoor recreation opportunities in the Wasatch Mountains and its five national parks, including Zion and Arches. Salt Lake City is home to a vibrant arts scene, a growing number of quality restaurants, the Utah Jazz and a new NHL team.

We are proud of the work we do and we are proud of our newsroom culture. This is a collaborative, energetic organization constantly seeking ways to improve. The Tribune is an inclusive employer and strives to continue diversifying our staff. We encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

Experience:The ideal candidate will be curious, consistently pitching story ideas, and will have at least three to five years of experience. You should be able to navigate open records requests and analyze data. You should be comfortable scouring places like Reddit and Instagram, and also eager to meet people where they are in communities across the region. You will be at ease in a collaborative setting, because the stories you find on this beat may sometimes overlap with others. That means being open to co-bylining stories with other reporters and working with visual journalists and digital team members.

Responsibilities and skills: 

• Writing news stories on tight deadlines with clarity, accuracy and compelling storytelling, with knowledge of AP style.
• A strong dedication to diversity in storytelling and developing a broad range of sources.
• Ability to find and pitch stories that connect with readers.
• Ability to pitch your reporting to the optimal format, including Q&As, lists, maps, graphics, video, etc.
• Maintaining a schedule that allows for both quick-turn stories and the ability to work on longer-term projects.
• Mastery of social media – both as a newsgathering tool and as a way to build The Tribune’s audience, as well as your own brand.
• Understanding audience data – understand which of your stories are resonating with readers and which are not. Work with newsroom leaders to understand why, and determine best practices moving forward.
• Ability and interest in engaging with the public, both through your reporting and at in-person Tribune events.
• Participation in in-house training sessions while seeking out other learning opportunities.