General Assignment Reporter, The Oklahoma Eagle

The Oklahoma Eagle is seeking a general assignment reporter to cover news and events in and around Tulsa, with a focus on issues affecting Black and underserved communities.

About the role

The general assignment reporter will produce 3-5 stories per week and 2-3 features per month, covering topics such as health care, faith, and transportation. The role requires strong news judgment, adaptability, and the ability to engage with the community through events and collaborative reporting. Occasional investigative work may be assigned independently or in collaboration with other reporters or editors.

About the organization

The Oklahoma Eagle is one of the oldest Black-owned newspapers in the U.S., primarily serving Tulsa’s Black community while expanding its reader base. It operates under Tulsa Local News Initiative, Inc (TLNI), a nonprofit startup that has raised $14 million to provide high-quality local journalism. TLNI also publishes the Tulsa Flyer and supports initiatives like the Tulsa Documenters, a program training citizens as government watchdogs. The organization values learning, curiosity, and diverse perspectives, with a commitment to equitable hiring practices.

Responsibilities

• Produce 3-5 daily news stories per week
• Develop and execute 2-3 longer-term feature, enterprise, or investigative stories per month
• Cultivate a diverse network of sources across Tulsa communities
• Engage directly with community members to identify and report on issues that matter most to them
• Collaborate with the community engagement team to incorporate resident input into reporting
• Utilize multimedia storytelling techniques, including photography, video, and data visualization
• Participate in 1-2 community events or forums per quarter as a representative of the newsroom
• Contribute to the newsroom’s newsletter products, social media presence, and engagement efforts
• Work closely with editors to refine story ideas and improve reporting techniques
• Adhere to deadlines for both daily stories and long-term projects
• Stay informed about local issues, events, and power structures in Tulsa

Skills

• Strong news judgment and ability to work effectively in a day-turn environment
• Self-starter who can juggle multiple assignments and collaborate with others
• 1-3 years of journalism experience, with a track record of daily reporting and in-depth projects
• Curiosity about local issues and flexibility to adapt to newsroom needs
• Experience with community-centered journalism and engagement practices
• Ability to manage multiple stories and projects simultaneously
• Proficiency in multimedia storytelling techniques
• Understanding of journalistic ethics and experience using public records and data in reporting
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively in a startup environment
• Comfort with digital tools for newsgathering, production, and audience engagement
• Ability to work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends as news demands
• Familiarity with Tulsa or a desire to learn about the city, its history, and its defining narratives

Pay

Salary range for this role is $50,000–$60,000, commensurate with experience. The organization presents its best offer upfront with no negotiation required.

Benefits

• Full health benefits, including 100% coverage of employee medical, dental, and vision premiums, and 50% coverage for dependents
• Paid leave, including holidays, PTO, and personal time
• 401K with a 4% employer match
• $2,000 annual reimbursement for outside training and professional development