Food, Drink & Culture Reporter

Dining, food shopping and cooking in the Mohawk Valley is central to life for local residents , most of whose families have experiences the immigrant or refugee or migrant experience as they, their parents, or their grandparents or great-grandparents arrived the historically welcoming city of Utica.

From Italian bakeries to tomato pie to soul food to pierogies to goulash to pho to Spanish rice, each wave of arrivals has left its mark on the local food scene.

The Observer-Dispatch / uticaod.com, part of the USA TODAY Network , seeks a F ood, D rink and C ulture reporter to share the story of the region's rich culinary history and present-day evolution, capturing the passion and pride long-term residents and new arrivals alike possess about their favorite culinary delights.

Reporting should be people- centered, and will include narrative reporting that delivers rich insights. A typical week might take this journalist from a century-old pizza establishment to the newest coffee shop in a historic building; from a profile of a newly arrived chef to an examination of how well locally owned restaurants are doing compared to chain restaurants as the pandemic eases. We seek a passionate, focused and curious multi-media reporter and nimble storyteller willing to jump on trends but also engage audiences in the stories and issues behind the food brought to their tables.

In addition, the reporter will follow breaking news and trends for popular restaurant and business development, including the opening and closing of high-interest chains and franchises in the region. Based on these popular topics, stories could also range from why a once-popular chain met its regional downfall to how a municipality is dealing with the influx of traffic to a new Sonic or Chick-fil-A.

Based in the Mohawk Valley, this position will encompass the dining scene from Cooperstown to the Adirondacks but primarily in the Utica area of New York state.

The reporter will work at times in partnership with USA TODAY food and features reporters throughout New York and the region and sometimes beyond.

An ideal candidate is someone capable of quickly establishing their voice and building a loyal following on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. They will deliver a mix of breaking news, compelling profiles, trend pieces, long-term enterprise, compelling multimedia assets and social engagement.

KEY CONSIDERATIONS

• Strong writing skills and a command of grammar and style.
• Experience with social media, including Instagram Stories, as a tool to build audience and as a source for beat development.
• Experience with and interest in multimedia, including video and podcasting.
• A self-starter who owns the beat yet works collaboratively with others locally and regionally to meet common goals.
• A journalist committed to values of fairness, diversity, inclusion and professionalism.

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
• At least two years of applicable experience as a reporter/writer.
• Proven experience with content management systems and social media channels.
• Good time management and organizational skills.

We are eager to learn more about you and how you fit this role. When you apply, don't limit your upload to a resume; show us what you've done. To do so, put together a single document file that includes the following, in this order:

• Your resume - one to two pages
• A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job
• Links to 3-6 online samples of your work. Show us what you've written, produced, or had a hand in that best reflects what you can do in your desired role.

It is important that these items be assembled into a single document and uploaded in PDF format. Completing these steps will ensure that your application receives the highest consideration.

#Newsgnt

#LI-CB1

The hourly rate for this role will range between $12.55 and $29.30. Variable compensation is not reflected in these figures and based on the role, may be applicable. Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, location, and union representation, if applicable.

recblid 49sq57c3t1ihli7jn7frwwvb8k1s6a