Title: Living Here Reporter
Start Date: As soon as possible
Terms:10/hrs per week
Salary: $50,000-55,000 annually (prorated), depending on experience
Location: Flexible (preferably prairies based)

Job description:
Neighbours United, (formerly known as West Kootenay EcoSociety) is a non-profit community-driven organization that brings together local residents to protect the natural environment while building just, equitable, healthy, and livable communities. Neighbours United coordinates hundreds of volunteers and outreaches to rural residents each year to build sustainable communities and protect our natural world.

Working with our staff team the Reporter will support the values-based storytelling publication project Living Here, with building relationships, researching, writing, placing, releasing and promoting stories. This publication tells stories of relatable subjects through emotional-based storytelling to reinforce and amplify messaging and framing that successfully connect with audiences on the fence about environmental issues.

Neighbours United practices employment equity and is dedicated to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of our community. We welcome applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black People, People of Colour, women, people with disabilities, youth, members of the LGBTQ2SAI+ communities, new immigrants, refugees, or members of other minorities.

Neighbours United is committed to a safe work and volunteer space for everyone. All staff and board members have completed anti-oppression training. All new staff are required to complete anti-oppression training upon starting with Neighbours United if they have not previously completed similar training in the past two years.

Neighbours United is a Living Wage Employer.

Employment benefits include:

  • 4 weeks paid vacation, with flexibility around dates to accommodate staff needs
  • Supply technology hardware
  • Paid sick days annually
  • Paid Statutory holidays including Boxing Day and Easter Monday, and additional consideration for days of cultural or religious significance
  • Flexible work hours/work-life integration
  • Paid time for leadership and organizer training
  • Paid time for organizational justice, equity, diversity and inclusion training
  • Hours tracking and time off enforced
  • Annual raises for the cost of living and performance

The position is ideally based in the Prairies as work from home however candidates from other regions in Canada, particularly those with lived experience in rural, small town, and suburban communities, are encouraged to apply and will be considered. If the successful candidate lives outside the West Kootenays they will be expected to participate in in-person paid travel a couple times a year to attend various trainings, workshops and events with our West Kootenay based team. If the successful candidate is based in the West Kootenays they will be expected and participate in the organization’s hybrid work model, working from our office in Castlegar for at least 1 day per month.

Responsibilities:

  • Find and develop story ideas
  • Research and write stories in line with project’s goals, strategies, messages, and values
  • Photograph story subjects as necessary
  • Participate in editorial meetings
  • Pitch stories to media
  • Promote stories to new audiences

Desired Skills and Experience:

The successful candidate ideally lives in the Prairie region, however candidates from other regions in Canada, particularly those with lived experience in rural, small town, and suburban communities, are encouraged to apply and will be considered. 

  • 2+ years of experience with successfully pitching, interviewing subjects, writing, and publishing stories . 
  • Proven track record of working well in a team environment and following strategic plans
  • Experience building rapport with interview subjects
  • Strong understanding of digital communications and social media content creation that is engaging for intended audiences 
  • Have experience or be willing to learn fundraising
  • Solid photography and/or short video-making experience preferred
  • Journalism or creative writing experience preferred 
  • Legally entitled to work in Canada

To apply:
Applicants are encouraged to identify in their applications if they are Indigenous Peoples, Black People, People of Colour, women, youth, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ2SAI+ communities, new immigrants, refugees, and/or are members of other visible minorities.

Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis with the intention to hire as soon as possible.

Send a cover letter and CV to jobs@neighboursunited.org with subject line reading “Living Here Reporter Application” We thank all who apply and only those considered for the position will be contacted for interviews.