Lead Reporter – Fort Erie Radio

Part-time | Approximately 20 hours per week | Fort Erie, Ontario

About Fort Erie Radio

Fort Erie Radio is an independent, locally owned news and radio organization dedicated to keeping the residents of Fort Erie informed, engaged and connected.

We provide daily, comprehensive local news coverage, reporting on the people, decisions, developments and events that shape our community.

We're looking for a talented, curious and dependable lead reporter to help drive our local news coverage.

About the role

As our lead reporter, you'll be responsible for researching, developing and writing original news stories focused exclusively on the Town of Fort Erie.

You'll cover everything from municipal government, politics and public safety to local businesses, community organizations, neighbourhood issues and human-interest stories.

We're looking for someone who can recognize a good story, ask the right questions and turn information into accurate, balanced and compelling journalism.

This is a largely independent role with flexible working arrangements, but it requires excellent time management, strong news judgment and a commitment to meeting deadlines.

Most work can be completed remotely. However, you'll be expected to cover approximately two to three stories in person each week, including interviews, meetings, announcements and community events.

An office workspace at our Fort Erie studio on Queen Street is available for anyone who prefers to work on-site.

Key responsibilities

- Research, investigate, write and file original local news stories for publication on forterieradio.ca.
- Identify and pitch relevant stories affecting Fort Erie residents.
- Cover town hall, public safety, business, community events and human-interest stories.
- Conduct interviews with elected officials, community leaders, business owners and residents.
- Attend approximately two to three in-person reporting assignments each week.
- Write accurate, engaging headlines and compelling news ledes.
- Verify facts,



seek appropriate sources and ensure all reporting meets journalistic standards for fairness, accuracy and impartiality.
- Meet strict editorial and publication deadlines.
- Monitor local developments and remain reasonably available for short-notice assignments when significant breaking news occurs.
- Capture photographs and other supporting material during field assignments.
- Work collaboratively with Fort Erie Radio's editorial team to maintain consistent, high-quality local news coverage.

Required qualifications and skills

- Education, training or practical experience in journalism, reporting or a closely related field.
- Demonstrated ability to research, structure and write a clear, accurate news story.
- Strong understanding of journalistic ethics, objectivity, fact-checking and responsible sourcing.
- Ability to write compelling headlines and effective news ledes.
- Familiarity with Canadian Press (CP) style and Canadian English.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to work independently, manage multiple assignments and meet firm deadlines.
- Willingness and ability to attend assignments throughout Fort Erie, including occasional assignments outside regular working hours.
- Access to reliable transportation, a personal laptop, a cellphone and a camera (a modern smartphone camera is sufficient).

We're happy to consider emerging journalists and recent graduates. Extensive professional newsroom experience is not necessary, but applicants must demonstrate a working knowledge of journalism and the ability to produce publication-ready news copy with editorial guidance.

Preferred qualifications

- Solid familiarity with Fort Erie, its neighbourhoods, local government, organizations and community issues.




- Existing knowledge of local decision-makers, community leaders and news sources.
- Residence in Fort Erie or the surrounding area.
- Previous experience reporting for a newspaper, digital publication, radio station or other news organization.
- Working knowledge of WordPress or similar content management systems.
- Experience covering municipal politics, public meetings or breaking news.
- Photography and digital storytelling skills.

Work environment and schedule

This is a part-time position averaging approximately 20 hours per week.

Most research, interviewing and writing can be completed remotely, with flexibility in how working hours are organized around editorial deadlines and reporting assignments.

The successful candidate must be able to travel throughout Fort Erie for approximately two to three in-person assignments each week.

Optional workspace is available at our Queen Street studio, including a desk, Wi-Fi access and printing facilities.

Some assignments may require evening or weekend availability, particularly for public meetings, community events and breaking news.

How to apply

Please submit your resumé to [email protected] along with a brief introduction explaining your interest in local journalism and your familiarity with Fort Erie.

Please include two or three examples of your writing, ideally published news stories or reporting assignments that demonstrate your research, interviewing and newswriting abilities.

We welcome applications from experienced journalists and promising newcomers who are passionate about local news and community storytelling.

To see examples of the work involved, visit forterieradio.ca and explore our local news coverage.

Compensation and hours

This is a part-time position averaging approximately 18-22 hours per week, with compensation of $22 to $24 per hour.

The position offers flexible working arrangements, with most duties performed remotely. Some evening and weekend availability may be required for scheduled assignments or breaking news.

📌 Lead Reporter (Fort Erie)
🏢 Fort Erie Radio]
📍 Fort Erie