Senior Reporter & Mentor

Lede New Orleans is a community media hub transforming how journalism serves the people of our city. We train emerging Black and Brown storytellers, amplify stories that respond to local needs, and foster trusted spaces for civic discussion.

Lede New Orleans a small nonprofit startup, not a big, buttoned-up newsroom. That means we’re often documenting processes as we go, testing new ideas and figuring things out together. We’re looking for someone who is deeply community-oriented and thrives in environments where flexibility, creativity and collaboration are key.

Lede New Orleans is hiring a Senior Reporter & Mentor to join our Community Reporting Fellowship team.

The Community Reporting Fellowship is a 24-week paid training program for emerging Black and Brown storytellers, ages 18–25. Fellows explore how journalism can be used as a tool for civic power while developing reporting and storytelling skills across mediums. As part of a small editorial team, the Senior Reporter & Mentor will guide fellows in developing their writing and reporting skills, lead team-based storytelling work, and contribute original reporting to the fellowship’s final publishing project, which will focus on the theme of affordable housing in New Orleans. The Senior Reporter & Mentor also will collaborate with the Senior Editor and other editorial leads to develop written story ideas, refine narratives, and ensure high-quality, accurate coverage for print and digital platforms.

This is a hands-on, collaborative role for someone who is passionate about local journalism and excited to coach early-career writers in the craft of community-centered storytelling. We are looking for someone who has experience covering local people and issues, and crafting thorough and thoughtful written journalism that centers local perspectives and local solutions. The ideal candidate is:

• Skilled at building rapport with community members and knows what it takes to see a journalism project through, from conception to publication;

• Geeks out over the craft of writing stories

• Is collaborative in sharing their knowledge, coaching Fellows through the storytelling process and asking for support in growth areas; and

• Is flexible, proactive and solutions-oriented in working with Fellows to move stories forward.

This is a contract position tied to the Community Reporting Fellowship program cycle. We anticipate the contract to be about 9 months, beginning in late August 2025 and concluding in March 2026. The contract duration includes additional time built in before and after the fellowship for planning, training, and editorial wrap-up.

• You are a people-centered storyteller: You are dedicated to making good journalism that is relevant and responsive to people’s needs, and one of your gifts is bringing accurate and compelling local stories to life. You take time to connect with colleagues and sources alike, and to understand their stories, regardless of whether you’re working on a piece. You work hard to elevate solutions–not just problems–in your reporting.

• You see a need to reimagine how journalism serves people: You understand the power responsive and relevant stories and information have to strengthen and liberate communities, and building deep and strong connections to community members throughout the reporting process is a key part of your practice. You apply an equity lens to your journalism practice, and want to leverage your skills to transform how journalism serves the people of New Orleans.

• You crave collaboration and knowledge-sharing: You are eager to work with a diverse group of storytellers to make journalism that is equitable and responsive to community needs. You are looking for opportunities to leverage your experience to coach and develop those around you, and support the next generation of storytellers in New Orleans.

• Work alongside the Senior Editor and editorial team to guide fellows through the editorial process—from pitching and research to writing and revision.

• Lead group reporting efforts, including assigning and editing written components, coordinating timelines, and supporting publication planning.

• Pitch, report, and write an original written story connected to the fellowship’s annual theme (affordable housing).

• Offer individualized support and feedback to fellows as they develop their stories, helping them build confidence and grow their skills.

• Facilitate 2–4 workshops over the course of the fellowship on foundational reporting topics like interviewing, public records research, outlining, or newswriting.

• Join weekly editorial check-ins and contribute to a collaborative, equity-driven newsroom culture.

• Partner with the editorial team and program staff to ensure fellow-produced content is ethical, accurate, community-rooted, and ready for publication.

This role is for someone who…

• Knows how to tell a strong story. You have experience reporting, writing, and editing stories that are accurate, clear, and grounded in community realities.

• Lead with collaboration. You enjoy working closely with others to build stories together—whether that’s with editors, photographers, or new writers just finding their voice.

• Thinks like a coach. You’re excited to mentor new journalists and can offer kind, constructive feedback that helps them grow.

• Can juggle a few things at once. You’re comfortable managing your own story deadlines while guiding others through theirs.

• Cares about local issues. You bring knowledge of New Orleans and a commitment to equity and community voice in the media.

• Is flexible and solution-oriented. You’re energized by the challenges and creativity that come with working in a small, evolving nonprofit newsroom.

• This is a part-time contract position running from September 2025 to March 2026, with a few weeks of prep and editorial wrap-up built in.

• Pay is a flat $10,000, paid in installments over the work period.

• This is a contract role and does not include employee benefits.

• Time off for program breaks during Thanksgiving, winter holidays and Mardi Gras.

• The role requires in-person work in New Orleans. Remote work is not available.

• Work From Home Flexibility: For those based in New Orleans, flexible work from home flexibility options. We have an office where we hold regular in-person meetings and fellowship training sessions. 

• Culture of Learning: Access to a culture of intentional professional development and organizational learning. Lede New Orleans staff hold regular reflection meetings to connect, reflect and surface learnings and feedback on policies and practices.

We’re projecting the following timeline for this hiring process. We will notify candidates of any shifts as we move through the process.

• Application closes on July 7, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. CST

• Within 2 weeks of closing applications, you will know if you’ve moved onto the interview stage

• Within 2 weeks of your interview, you’ll know if you moved onto the case exercise stage

• Within 1 week of your case exercise completion, you’ll know if you moved onto the final interview

• We expect to make a final offer in September

Lede New Orleans is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.