Staff Reporter, Nashville Scene/Nashville Post/FW Publishing
FW Publishing has an immediate opening for a full-time reporter who will contribute to the print and web products of the Nashville Scene and the Nashville Post. This reporter will be responsible for news coverage and analysis, with a specific focus on state and local politics.
Our publications represent the growing, inclusive and vibrant communities in Davidson and Williamson counties, as well as Middle Tennessee at large. We strive to maintain a diverse array of full-time employees and freelance contributors, and to maintain an inclusive and anti-racist company culture. FW Publishing does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, age or disability. Representatives from all cultures and backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Job Description and Qualifications:
The ideal applicant will have at least two years of newsroom experience, or comparable experience doing freelance work for news publications. They will also have a bachelor’s or comparable degree — ideally in journalism, political science, communications, history or English.
Our new full-time writer will primarily report on local news and politics — breaking news reports, long-form and investigative reporting, and critical analysis, especially related to both the Tennessee General Assembly and the Metro government.
For 36 years, the Scene — a medium-circulation alternative-weekly newspaper — has offered analysis and opinion about what’s happening in Nashville from a progressive vantage. In addition to straight news reporting, we expect our new reporter to be comfortable pitching and executing that form of analysis in collaboration with our editor-in-chief and the rest of the staff. The staff of the Scene works closely with the staff of our sister publication the Post — a longtime news, business, sports and real estate publication. The two outlets frequently share resources and stories, so our reporter should also be comfortable contributing straight news and business reports for the Post.
This candidate should be comfortable working under strict deadlines and tight turnarounds, and will be expected to file the following:
Multiple weekly posts on our news and politics blog, Pith in the Wind
Two to four reported or analysis pieces for our print news section each month
Reported cover stories for our print edition
Shorter contributions to group cover packages
Contributions to our sister publication the Nashville Post
This reporter should be well-versed on the following topics, with related sources (or the ability to quickly cultivate sources):
Metro-level politics and news developments
State-level politics and news developments
State and local education
Issues facing the immigrant community
Issues facing the homeless community
Issues related to environmental justice
The ideal candidate will be familiar with AP style, familiar with alternative-weekly-style reporting and writing, and have experience interviewing sources. They should have a strong, independent voice and be comfortable standing up to authority and speaking truth to power.
This position allows but requires a great deal of autonomy — our reporter will check in with our editor-in-chief regularly for guidance, but will be expected to act intuitively when it comes to chasing down leads and speaking to sources on a regular basis.
To apply for this position, please send a cover letter, résumé and three examples of work to editor-in-chief D. Patrick Rodgers (prodgers@nashvillescene.com) and publisher Mike Smith (msmith@fwpublishing.com). We know there could be candidates for this position who don’t tick every box, or who have related skills that aren’t included here. Please don’t hesitate to apply and tell us more about your background and skill set in your cover letter.
We offer competitive compensation, a full benefits package, paid vacation and holidays.
No phone calls or walk-ins are accepted.