CURRENT OPENINGS:
JOIN OUR TEAM!
INLANDER NEWS REPORTER
The Inlander, a family-owned urban weekly newspaper covering the Inland Northwest, is looking for an ambitious, full-time NEWS WRITER to join its award-winning editorial team. As the region’s thriving newsweekly, our readers depend on us to seek out truth and tell stories that no one else does.
Given the nature of weekly publication, the position is more akin to a general assignment reporting job. That said, our writers do focus on certain beats. We want a writer who knows a good story when they see one, who can write a piece of creative nonfiction filled with scene, characters and tension, and who can find and analyze solutions for our time’s most troubling issues. You’ll also contribute to our schedule of special issues, including Summer Guide, the Election Issue and Give Guide.
Solid reporting is important in every community, but especially so in the Inland Northwest, which is home to more than 600,000 people and encompasses the urban heart of Spokane and beyond — from Sandpoint and Post Falls/Coeur d’Alene in North Idaho to the Palouse towns of Moscow and Pullman, as well as multiple universities (Gonzaga University, Washington State University, University of Idaho and Eastern Washington University, to name a few).
The Inlander’s office is in Kendall Yards, a growing district on the edge of downtown Spokane, with views overlooking the Spokane River gorge and front-door access to the Centennial Trail.
We want someone who is bursting with ideas and not only eager for large projects, but also geared up for weekly reporting on what’s happening locally and beyond. Finally, we are committed to truth and fairness, and understand the strong grounding that journalistic ethics provide. You must be as well.
You will:
• Pitch and write stories on deadline that our readers will want to read.
• Have a knack for finding fresh, compelling and surprising stories.
• Develop and maintain relationships and sources.
• Be able to juggle multiple tasks and duties in a dynamic environment.
• Pay tremendous attention to detail, admit mistakes and take responsibility.
• Be comfortable talking to people from all backgrounds and demographics.
• Be committed to truth and fairness, and treat all sides of an issue with integrity, respect and empathy.
• Have excellent news sense and good judgment.
• Be able to write all manner of stories — from short, newsy briefs to long, immersive narratives.
• Be curious, critical and compassionate.
If you think you’re a fit, please send a cover letter, resume and samples of your work to the Inlander’s news editor, Samantha Wohlfeil, at [email protected].
We are open to journalists at the start of their careers, as well as those already working in the profession; starting compensation depends on experience, but will range from $18 to $21 per hour. Other benefits include access to medical/optical/dental benefits, participation in a Simple savings plan, paid time off and an annual salary/performance review.
Internships with The Inlander
The Inlander accepts internship applications year-round. Applicants are considered for various positions (see below) and should indicate their preferences:
1. News Writing: Write at least one article a week; flexible shifts (10+ hours/week); work with other reporters on projects; blog for Inlander.com.
2. Arts & Culture Writing: Write stories and assist Culture and Calendar Editors; flexible shifts (10+ hours/week); work with other reporters on projects; blog for Inlander.com.
3. Photo: Shoot photographs for publication; also learn to process and edit images for print; report to Creative Director.
Since these are unpaid positions, we strive to offer interns solid, real-world experience. Interns will get the opportunity to work in a professional newspaper environment alongside working reporters and writers. They will have access to staff meetings and critiques, where they'll learn how our weekly paper works.
NOTE: Qualified applicants must be currently enrolled in a college degree program to be considered eligible for an internship position.
Pay: N/A. Interns may receive minimal compensation for exceptional work.
Duration: 3-4 months; year-round opportunities available. Interns should be based in the Spokane/Coeur d'Alene area during their internship.
Requirements: Genuine interest in journalism and currently enrolled in a college program (degree credit is not required, but strongly encouraged).
TO APPLY: Send a resume and three writing samples or a photo portfolio to [email protected]. Also please include a letter explaining: 1. Your availability and the number of hours per week you could work; 2. What do you hope to get out of an internship here? Are you considering a career in journalism?
FREELANCING FOR US
WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
Easy answer: Check out what we already do. Read the Inlander, Inlander.com, and our other publications: Health & Home, a bi-monthly publication; and Annual Manual, a glossy magazine about living in the Inland Northwest.
DO WE PAY EXPENSES?
It depends. Check with us ahead of time.
HOW ABOUT ARTWORK AND PHOTOS?
We typically prefer to take care of art ourselves, but you're welcome to submit photos, drawings, diagrams, etc., for additional compensation, if we use your submission. Rates will be agreed upon before publication.
WHO SHOULD YOU PITCH?
Inlander
News and Commentary: Editor Nicholas Deshais ([email protected])
Culture: A&C Editor Chey Scott ([email protected])
Photography: Creative Director Derek Harrison ([email protected])
Health & Home
Editor: Anne McGregor ([email protected])
Annual Manual
Editor: Chey Scott ([email protected])
RIGHTS
We appreciate that freelancers are trying to make a living, and we're willing to accommodate most requests, but in all cases, we need to know up front what we're dealing with.
Unless a different arrangement is negotiated before publication, our freelance fee for articles/images includes first-time serial rights, nonexclusive web use, archival rights (microfilm, microfiche, etc.), and the right to publish in anthologies. We also assume permission to make articles/images available via third-party online databases such as AltWeeklies.com. Our fee also includes nonexclusive reprint rights, but it allows you to retain rights to sell or republish the article/image in non-competing markets outside of our distribution area, which spans west to Cheney, Wash., north to Stevens and Pend Oreille counties and Sandpoint, Idaho, east to Kellogg, Idaho, and south to Moscow/Pullman.
CONFLICTS & DISCLOSURES
Please do not pitch stories for which you have a conflict of interest. In other words, you cannot write about institutions or people in which you have some personal or financial stake. Also, we must thoroughly review story pitches that involve your friends or family. Disclosure in such cases can mitigate possible conflicts to our satisfaction, but it must be made in advance.
We also want to know if you've written a previous version of your proposed story for another publication.
Furthermore, we expect that you will not "repackage" or rewrite content you've produced for us and then sell to competitors in our market. (Competitors include all print publications and websites based in our distribution area.)
A staff position, a contract job or regular work with a competing publication in our market area will constitute a conflict of interest and preclude you from contributing to the Inlander or its sister publications.
For freelancers who regularly contribute to our pages, we insist that they don't submit work to competing publications. We pride ourselves on being different and that stretches to our regular cast of freelance writers, photographers and illustrators.
QUESTIONS?
Write Editor Nicholas Deshais ([email protected]).
