We are hiring a News Reporter!
Nelson BC — One of the nation’s most exemplary small-town community radio stations, Kootenay Co-op Radio (KCR/CJLY), is hiring a full-time broadcast and digital journalist to cover a rapidly growing Western Canadian urban and rural news market.
KCR is excited to be participating in the Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) Program which is dedicated to serving areas of news poverty across Canada and fostering creation of original civic journalism. The content produced will be for KCR, but will be made available to media outlets across the country.
KCR has been broadcasting since 1999 from Nelson, B.C., world-class four- season destination, renowned for its arts, culture, heritage and diversity. The city and surrounding West Kootenay region are seeing unprecedented change and an increasing demand for quality independent community journalism.
KCR broadcasts on four frequencies over 5,000 square km and reaches 20 communities throughout the Slocan Valley and surrounding Kootenay Lake. We are also available on-line at kootenaycoopradio.com.
Our station is a cooperative, owned by its members, and run by a part-time staff collective and a six member board of directors. We have over 60 on-air programmers ranging in age from 21 to 88.
Our reporter will cover municipal institutions, Kootenay cultural and social life and other subjects of public importance in all areas of our broadcast region.
KCR is seeking a creative, motivated, organized, professional reporter with a passion for community. We offer an opportunity to hone your journalistic craft with the backing of supportive colleagues and a great team.
The position will require:
- Daily story contributions in broadcast, digital and occasional video format to KCR’s website and news portal, its flagship three-times-a-week current affairs program, Kootenay Morning, and other weekly broadcasts including our weekly environmental news program, The Ecocentric.
- Research and booking some of Kootenay Morning’s three interviews per one-hour show, and scripting interviews.
- Culling all-local news, cultural, sport and entertainment news from KM shows, for inclusion on the KCR website news portal and KM newscasts
- Compiling KM five-minute newscasts
- Generating weekly enterprise news from throughout the communities of Nelson, the Slocan Valley, Kaslo/Kootenay Lake’s North End and the East Shore, which entails some travel to these communities • Aggregating relevant news from LJI’s platforms for inclusion in KM, The Ecocentric and other KCR news and current affairs programs, and co-operation with the region’s other LJI partners and like-minded community and independent news platforms in the Canadian West and US Pacific Northwest
Here’s what we are looking for:
- A university degree or technical diploma in Arts, Journalism, Communications, or Broadcasting from an accredited educational institution
- Two or more years of experience in broadcasting and/or print journalism
- Strong on-air interviewing skills
- Audio production skills in both field and studio applications
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills and understanding of the Canadian Press Style Guide
- The ability to work as part of an editorial team
- The ability to work independently to research, write, edit, and present local news stories
- A talent for news gathering and an understanding of community journalism
- Understanding of Canadian journalistic ethics, defamation, copyright, and broadcasting regulations and laws
- Leadership qualities to impart your skills and experience to our staff and volunteers
- Capacity to post content on social media and blogging platforms
- Familiarity with KCR’s broadcasting communities would be advantageous
- An affinity for mountain towns and mountain culture
- A valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle
TERM: 35 hours per week with the term ending April 30, 2024 Renewal will depend on available funding. RATE OF PAY: $30 / hour (non-negotiable)
START DATE: April 15, 2023
We encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates, including (but not limited to) women, BIPOC individuals, those who identify as LGBTQ+, and people living with disabilities. We recognize the value that your experience and knowledge can add to our community radio station.
To apply:
Please send a resume and cover letter to admin@kootenaycoopradio.com
For further questions, contact Ed at ops@kootenaycoopradio.com or 250-352-9600
This project is funded by the Community Radio Fund of Canada and the Government of Canada’s Local Journalism Initiativ
The basis for Kootenay Co-Op Radio’s journalistic work is fact-driven reporting about relevant community issues. In the past year, a number of those have become evident in the community and called for extensive reporting.
Examples of this reporting can be found below:
Housing- and drug crisis
Harm reduction advocate wants to start compassion club
Nelson tech startup launches harm reduction vending machine
Nelson group plans workshop on renters’ rights
Logging and environmental concerns
Locals in Nelson worry over logging rumours
Impact on Caribou by logging concerning, says expert
Nelson man fights for eco-crimes to be prosecuted more widely
Community issues
Six Nelson police officers risk disciplinary action following racist chat group messages
West Kootenay transit cancels more than 200 hours of rides
