Join one of Baltimore’s Best Places to Work!
About Our Organization:
The Baltimore Banner is a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to providing high-quality local journalism to the Baltimore metro area. We hope to reimagine the future of local news by building a vibrant, strong, trustworthy, and sustainable news organization. With a multi-platform news operation, we cover a wide range of topics, including local government, culture, and the arts. Our goal is to tell stories that reflect the community, foster connections among neighbors, hold government institutions accountable, and provide a comprehensive understanding of the world. Everything we do is rooted in truth, and we believe that our work can contribute to a more vibrant, informed, and united Baltimore, surrounding counties, and the state of Maryland.
About the Job:
The Baltimore Banner is currently seeking a Food Reporter to join our Arts & Culture department.
As part of a small team responsible for covering Baltimore City, county, and beyond, you will play a crucial role in delivering news and addressing concerns related to the local food scene. We are seeking a candidate who is highly knowledgeable about all aspects of food in the region.
You will report on trends shaping the local dining scene, analyze the implications of restaurant space developments within a broader context, and investigate worker relations in the local food industry. From daily news stories about restaurant mergers to reported features on the closure of Baltimore eateries, money-saving tips from chefs, and uncovering hidden culinary gems in neighborhoods, your writing will cover a diverse range of topics. We expect you to possess excellent news judgment, strong reporting and writing skills, as well as experience covering stories within the food industry.
As a mission-driven organization focused on improving the community through local news, we expect all candidates to genuinely believe in this mission and work collaboratively as part of a team. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive newsroom with a positive morale and culture.
Responsibilities:
- Pitch, report, and write in-depth food-related features that go beyond highlighting popular food spots to address challenges faced by various food-related industries in the Baltimore area.
- Develop a keen sense for newsworthy stories in the dining industry, including food shortages, accessibility of new restaurants, and issues faced by food workers.
- Contribute to daily coverage, enterprise stories, long-term projects, and support our weekly newsletter, The Dish.
- Cultivate a strong network of sources in the beat, including restaurateurs, developers, local shop owners, and chefs, to generate scoops and intriguing story ideas.
- Represent The Banner in the community as needed, including potential television or radio appearances.
- Utilize and comprehend newsroom analytics to refine coverage and meet readers’ needs.
Requirements:
- Minimum of 3 years of experience in journalism.
- Proven track record of excellent and accurate reporting.
- Ability to convey complex ideas with clarity and precision.
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
- Strong proficiency in using social media to enhance reporting, promote stories, and stay connected with readers’ discussions.
- Enthusiasm for news and content that resonates with readers.
- Team-oriented mindset with a willingness to collaborate with colleagues.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to provide and receive constructive feedback.
- Willingness to work flexible hours, including nights and weekends, as dictated by news demands.
- Dedication to upholding journalistic values and ethics.
- Knowledge of arts and culture coverage from other publications is a plus.
-
Note: Please provide clips that supports your work.
The Venetoulis Institute embraces diversity and inclusion, and we are wholeheartedly committed to being proactive in inspiring a culture of inclusion across our organization. We are dedicated to establishing an organization that reflects the fundamental respect for different ways of working and living, and we assure every employee the opportunity to reach their full potential.
