Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) Reporter

Reporter (LJI, 14-month contract) REF#: JG34911 Your Southwest Media Group

Location: Kindersley, Saskatchewan

Posted: January 22, 2026

Salary: TBD

Description

• Term: 14-month contract (anticipated Feb 1, 2026 – Mar 31, 2027)
• Hours: Full-time (35–40 hours/week)
• Start Date: February 2026 (flexible for the right candidate)

About the Opportunity

Your Southwest Media Group is hiring a Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) Reporter to strengthen civic journalism across a large rural region covering Kindersley and 20+ surrounding communities in Saskatchewan and Alberta. This position is supported through the Local Journalism Initiative, a national program that funds original, civic-focused journalism in underserved communities. As an LJI Reporter, you’ll focus on meaningful community coverage—especially where consistent reporting has been limited by distance and capacity.

Who We Are

Your Southwest Media Group publishes community newspapers including:

• Your West Central Voice
• The Kerrobert & District Chronicle
• The Rosetown Eagle
• The Oyen Echo

We are locally-owned, community-rooted, and dedicated to producing accurate, fair, and independent local reporting.

Coverage Area

The role is based in Kindersley, Saskatchewan, with reporting across rural and remote communities, including:

• Burstall, Leader, Eatonia, Eston, Elrose, Rosetown, Kerrobert, Luseland, Major, Plenty, Dodsland, Coleville, Marengo, Denzil, Herschel, Oyen, Acadia Valley, Empress, New Brigden, Cereal, Youngstown and surrounding areas.

What You’ll Cover

This role is focused on original civic journalism, including:

• Municipal councils and local governance
• School boards and education issues
• Rural healthcare access and regional services
• Courts and public safety (as assigned)
• Agriculture and rural economic issues
• Community organizations, events, and local initiatives
• Human-interest features that reflect the people and priorities of the region

What You’ll Produce

• You’ll contribute consistent, professional local journalism with expectations of approximately:
• 8–12 stories per week, depending on the news cycle
• Content published online and in print, with opportunities for:
• Photography
• Short video
• Social posts to support community engagement

Key Responsibilities

• Report, write, and file original local stories each week
• Attend meetings and events (some evening coverage required)
• Conduct interviews, research, and fact-checking
• Work collaboratively with the publisher/editor for planning and edits
• Maintain strong journalistic standards (accuracy, fairness, verification)
• Build trust and sources across multiple rural communities
• Upload LJI stories to the national distribution platform

Qualifications

We’d love to hear from you if you have:

• Strong reporting and writing skills
• Sound editorial judgment and a commitment to ethical journalism
• Confidence interviewing people and covering civic institutions
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines
• Comfort travelling regularly across rural communities
• A valid driver’s licence and reliable transportation (required)
• Photo/video skills are an asset, but not required
• Experience: Journalism experience (professional or community-based) is preferred, but we are open to emerging reporters with strong clips and a drive to learn.

Why This Role Matters

Many rural communities in our region face “news poverty”—where important local decisions happen with little consistent professional coverage. This position helps ensure residents have access to trusted journalism that strengthens civic awareness, accountability, and community connection.

How to Apply

Please email the following to the contact below:

• A resume
• 2–3 writing samples or links to published work
• A short cover letter explaining why rural civic journalism matters to you; please state you found this job on Jeff Gaulin's Journalism Job Board
• (Optional) Anything else you’d like us to see—photos, audio, video, newsletters, etc.

Application deadline: Until filled (early applications encouraged)

Kate Winquist

Your Southwest Media Group

116C Main Street

Kindersley, SK

S0L 1S0, Canada

Tel: (306) 463-2211

E-mail: kate@yourwestcentral.com

Web address: http://www.yourwestcentral.com