Trainee or Senior Reporters – Watford Observer (Hertfordshire)
We’re looking for NCTJ-qualified senior and trainee reporters who have what it takes to join a dynamic digital team reporting on breaking news and trending stories for the Watford Observer and other Hertfordshire websites.
No day is the same covering this busy news patch where you will be part of a dedicated team setting the agenda with a fast-paced, accurate response to the news that truly matters to our audiences.
This role will see you live blogging a breaking incident one minute, picking up on a story that will fly on social the next or working on high-performing evergreen content that means people frequently return to our website.
The Watford Observer is Newsquest’s best-performing weekly newspaper in the south-east and has unrivalled, expert coverage of Watford FC.
We’re also keen to hear from reporters based in Stevenage or the surrounding areas to work across titles including The Comet, Welwyn Hatfield Times and Herts Advertiser.
Ambitious trainee reporters who want to start their careers in this exciting part of Hertfordshire are encouraged to apply. You will be given training and support to help you qualify as a senior reporter and progress within the company.
The role will be a mix of home working with some meetings and patch work in Watford, where we do also have an office. There is also an office in Stevenage.
You will get support in optimising content for social and search audiences and be required to work within IPSO regulations and legal and ethical guidelines.
Both positions will involve early and late shifts, as well as some weekends, on a rota basis that is not too intrusive.
As part of the reporting team, you will be fast, first and accurate and work alongside like-minded digital reporters publishing stories across our social media and digital platforms while working on more in-depth stories in the background covering a range of topics.
Newsquest Media Group is one of the UK’s largest newspaper and website publishers. As well as a competitive salary, we also offer generous benefits including:
- Contributory pension
- Perks and discounts at various retail outlets
- Opportunities for team building and training days
- 25 days’ paid holiday + statutory bank holidays + your birthday day off.
- Structured career progression, ongoing training, and personal performance reviews
- Discount Vouchers
- Discounted Gym membership
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Mental Health Support via Telus
- Eye test vouchers plus £50 towards new glasses.
- Annual Volunteer Charity Day
Newsquest Media Group is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all community sections regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.
Our recruitment process will consist of various stages and activities, as part of our commitment to fairness to all applicants, we will take into account any adjustments that could help you.
into account any adjustments that could help you.