The nonprofit Salt Lake Tribune is looking for a reporter who can write for and with - not just about - young adults beyond the Wasatch Valley. Utah is the youngest state in the country, and this reporter will focus on what the next generation faces in Utah.

Generation Z and Millennials in Utah are living in a period of historic growth for the state. Gen Alpha will soon start to graduate high school. These next generations of Utahns will be tomorrow’s leaders and will face challenges and opportunities that beg to be explored with solutions reporting at the forefront of your work. 

We know young Utahns care more about the environment than their parents and grandparents. Does this priority present in their daily lives? They are being told a college education might not be the optimal path for them and that technical training is a path. Are they enrolling at Utah’s colleges and universities? Affordable housing and healthcare will impact this generation more than they have others. And how does faith in Utah fit in young Utahns’ lives?

Specifically, we will look to focus on two significant poles of the state - both with 4-year universities serving as anchors in their communities. They are Cache Valley and Washington County.

The successful reporter will keenly understand the potential to reach younger audiences and will know how to listen in spaces where young people get their news and information. They 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 enterprises will be part of this reporter’s beat. 

This reporter’s published work will be free to read across multiple platforms.

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, Instagram, and TikTok, but also confident and open to meeting real people where they are. You will regularly report from locations beyond Salt Lake Valley regularly, even as the area may serve as home base, and can be expected to travel to Cache Valley and southern Utah.

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.

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.

• 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.