Suburbs Watchdog Reporter

Our Team: At LNP Media Group, our work is rooted in service to our community. As a nonprofit media organization, we are dedicated to delivering trusted journalism, meaningful storytelling and essential information that helps our community stay informed, engaged and connected. Our mission-driven approach ensures that our reporting and services strengthen civic life and support the long-term vitality of Lancaster County.

We believe great work happens when talented people feel supported, respected and empowered. Our culture values collaboration, accountability, curiosity and innovation. We encourage employees to bring their ideas, perspectives and passion to the table as we continue to evolve in a rapidly changing media landscape.

At LNP Media Group, every role contributes to our shared purpose – to serve the community through impactful journalism and responsible stewardship of a trusted local institution.

Summary: The Suburbs Watchdog Reporter covers trends, problems and solutions affecting, primarily, the townships and boroughs surrounding Lancaster city, with a focus on the communities that make up some of LNP | LancasterOnline's largest and most engaged audiences. Serving as an advocate for readers and a check on public authority, this reporter cuts through red tape, navigates government and organizational bureaucracy and holds officials accountable while pursuing practical answers and solutions.

This reporter serves as the go-to municipal and political reporter for the core suburban municipalities of Manheim, East Hempfield, East Lampeter, West Lampeter and Manor townships. Coverage may also include significant political, governmental, or civic controversies elsewhere in Lancaster County. The role combines responsive daily reporting, reader advocacy, breaking news, data-informed enterprise journalism and longer-term investigative work across digital, social, video and print platforms.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

·       Respond to reader questions and tips, investigate concerns and pursue answers and solutions on issues such as infrastructure, public services, government responsiveness and the use of public funds.

·       Develop authoritative coverage of the core suburban municipalities of Manheim, East Hempfield, East Lampeter, West Lampeter and Manor townships.

·       Monitor political, governmental and civic developments throughout Lancaster County and cover major controversies outside the core beat when needed.

·       Analyze municipal budgets, salaries, pensions, expenses, authorities, boards, commissions and other less-visible government entities to identify trends, accountability issues and enterprise opportunities.

·       Produce a balanced mix of timely daily stories, breaking news, reader-service journalism, mid-range enterprise work and longer-term investigative projects.

·       Attend selected municipal meetings to develop sources, obtain answers and uncover stories not otherwise being told; supplement basic meeting coverage rather than routinely producing meeting summaries.

·       Build and maintain strong relationships with residents, community leaders, public officials, subject-matter experts and LNP | LancasterOnline correspondents across the coverage area.

·       Collaborate with correspondents to recognize larger trends, identify emerging controversies and strengthen reporting across Lancaster County.

·       Exercise sound news judgment, a strong sense of urgency and the highest standards of accuracy, fairness, ethics and accountability.

·       Curate and aggregate relevant reporting and information from other sources, adding Lancaster County context, explanation, verification and original reporting as appropriate.

·       Think visually and produce multimedia journalism, including photographs, simple video, livestreams and other digital elements, while collaborating with the organization's video studio when appropriate.

·       Publish and promote content across relevant digital and social platforms; actively engage with audiences and use those interactions to generate reporting ideas and deepen community connections.

·       Use Parse.ly and other available analytics tools to evaluate audience response, optimize story presentation and follow-up coverage and inform future reporting decisions in collaboration with editors.

·       Manage multiple assignments and deadlines in a fast-paced newsroom, shifting effectively between quick-turn reporting and larger projects.

·       Contribute to innovation in online, mobile, video and social storytelling and remain current with evolving newsroom tools and audience practices.

·       Perform other related duties, special projects and functions as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: This position does not have any supervisory responsibilities

Minimum Qualifications: The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or abilities required for this position. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential functions of the job satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodation.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

·       Education/Experience: Bachelor's degree in journalism, English, mass communications, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience. Proven reporting experience in a professional newsroom is required; experience covering municipal government, public records, budgets, politics, accountability, or investigative topics is strongly preferred.

·       Journalism Skills: Strong command of news writing, AP style, story structure, sourcing, fact-checking, public-records research and journalistic ethics. Demonstrated ability to develop sources, explain complex topics clearly and produce both quick-turn and enterprise reporting.

·       Government and Financial Literacy: Working knowledge of municipal government and the municipal budget process, with the ability and willingness to examine public spending, authorities, boards, commissions pensions, salaries and related records.

·       Communication Skills: Ability to read and interpret instructions, policies, public records, budgets and procedures and to communicate effectively in writing and verbally with residents, officials, sources, colleagues and other stakeholders. Effective interviewing, negotiation and de-escalation skills are required.

·       Digital and Multimedia Skills: Demonstrated proficiency with contemporary newsroom systems and media-creation tools used to produce digital and print content. Ability to take photographs, shoot and edit basic video, livestream, publish online and use social platforms for reporting, engagement and promotion.

·       Technical/System Skills: Proficiency with computers, laptops, smartphones, tablets, photo/video equipment, web publishing tools, social platforms and audience analytics systems such as Parse.ly. Readiness to learn new systems, tools and emerging technologies is required.

·       Work Style: Fast news metabolism, strong organization and time-management skills, curiosity, persistence, sound judgment and the ability to work independently and collaboratively while managing competing priorities.

·       Schedule and Travel: Ability to travel throughout Lancaster County and work nights, weekends, or irregular hours as news and meeting schedules require. A valid driver's license and reliable transportation are required.

·       Physical Requirements: Ability to sit, stand, walk, communicate and use standard office and multimedia equipment as needed to perform job duties. Ability to lift and carry up to 20 pounds occasionally and to travel to meetings, events and reporting locations. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

·       Work Environment: Work is performed in a professional office, remote and field-reporting environment using standard office and multimedia equipment. The position requires regular travel to reporting locations and occasional evening or weekend work. The employee may encounter varied weather, public settings and fast-changing conditions while reporting in the field.

Equal Opportunity & Employment Notice

LNP Media Group is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all employees are treated with respect and dignity. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

LNP Media Group is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application process and during employment. Individuals who require accommodation should notify Human Resources.

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or qualifications required. Duties and responsibilities may change based on organizational needs.

Employment with LNP Media Group is at-will, meaning that either the employee or the organization may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, subject to applicable law.