Sports Writer, Longview Daily News in Washington

The Longview Daily News is seeking a reporter to cover high school sports in the Lower Columbia region. This is an entry-level position but a prime beat; prep sports are our bread, butter, cinnamon and sugar. We cover 14 high schools, aggressively and comprehensively, for a region that is passionate and savvy about prep sports. Our coverage area encompasses some of the oldest football and basketball rivalries in the state.
We are looking for a reporter with a demonstrable grasp of digital and print reporting tools and the ability to surround and own a beat. The successful applicant’s portfolio will reflect enthusiasm, curiosity, excellent language skills, the ability to engage and develop sources, and an understanding of the role of social media in journalism.
The previous occupant is moving on to cover prep and professional sports at a major metro.
Contact me at zim@tdn.com if you're interested.

Ben Zimmerman

 

Re: Sports Writer, Longview Daily News

I'm the guy leaving this position. It was -- and is -- a great job and highly recommend it for anyone looking for a first or second full-time position. If anyone has any questions, don't hesitate to message me.

 

Re: Sports Writer, Longview Daily News

You might want insert the name of the state in the title of the thread. When I first saw this I was thinking Texas.

 

Re: Sports Writer, Longview Daily News

Sent you an email but it got bounced back to me

 

Re: Sports Writer, Longview Daily News

I think this was where the late Rick Alvord once was SE, IIRC.

 

Re: Sports Writer, Longview Daily News

This gig is in Washington. Good paper. Good gig. Ben is good people. The folks in the department have a good relationship with the people they cover.
Longview is about 45 minutes north of Portland and and hour and a half south of Seattle, right off I-5. There would be plenty to do on your days off if you don't mind driving a bit.
I believe they have a central design desk. They used to have several part-time folks that would pick up the phone during heavy prep nights ... not sure if that's the case now. The circulation used to be around 28k, but I believe it's around 20k or so now.

Please feel free to correct any errors I might have inserted with my description, Ben.

 

Re: Sports Writer, Longview Daily News

It's a Lee paper (unfortunately). But they do a solid job. There's also a wood-bat summer league baseball team that the prep guy may get to help cover.

John Markon, formerly of the Richmond T-D, also works there, or at least sometimes shoots some photos for them.

 

Tarheel316: Good call. I threw this together quickly and omitted that crucial detail.

JeffRoper: I'm sorry about that. DM me for alternative contact information.

Tom: No corrections, although I'd have gone with "okay" people.

Mark2010: You are correct.

micro: John Markon is the managing editor. He dabbles in photography. There is indeed a wood-bat summer team here, and our next prep writer will share coverage responsibilities (or blessings, as it were).

 

Oh Ben. Next time I see you, you're going to get the belly bump from hell for that "OK" statement.
Don't believe him, folks. Ben will treat you right.

 

I have the belly for that.

 

Finally fix that damn shift key?

 

Ha. I clean it up for the jobs and straight journo threads. After that, you better start paying me to put in the extra work of using the shift key. Plus, it's Zimmerman. I'll give that cat overtime for free.