Pittsburgh Food & Drink Reporter
About the role
PennLive is seeking an energetic Food & Drink Reporter to anchor coverage of the Pittsburgh dining scene. This role will keep audiences informed about where the city and region eats and drinks, with a strong emphasis on timely, must-read content creation. An on-camera presence is essential, as this journalist will help bring stories to life through vertical video and social storytelling across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and other platforms.
This content creator will own breaking news on restaurant openings and closings—no restaurant should open or close in the Pittsburgh region without our coverage. Beyond daily news, the position will develop high-interest “best of” lists (e.g., “25 best burgers in Pittsburgh”) and highlight standout spots across neighborhoods. The ideal candidate will also find creative, audience-friendly ways to cover the beat, from trying signature dishes at local favorites to identifying emerging trends and hidden gems.
Responsibilities
- Break news on restaurant openings and closings in the Pittsburgh region.
- Create timely, engaging written, video, and social content to inform and drive conversation.
- Develop high-interest “best of” lists and feature stories about local dining trends.
- Produce on-camera vertical video and social storytelling for platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
- Identify and cover emerging trends, signature dishes, and hidden gems in the region’s dining scene.
- Work under deadline pressure to deliver accurate, high-quality journalism.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
- Minimum of two years of journalism experience with a proven ability in reporting and writing.
- Experience building, maintaining, and engaging an active audience.
- Strong news judgment, sharp writing skills, and a solid grasp of digital storytelling.
- Comfort working across written, visual, and audio platforms.
- Clean, conversational writing that keeps readers engaged.
- Reliable transportation to meet with sources or cover events.
Pay
The base salary range is $50,000 - $55,000 per year.