CENTURY 21 Edge is seeking a curious, resourceful, and highly motivated Community News Reporter to research and write original digital news articles about the issues and developments affecting Central Florida communities.
This is primarily a writing-focused digital journalism position. The Community News Reporter will identify newsworthy stories, conduct research, verify information, interview sources, and produce accurate, engaging articles for the CENTURY 21 Edge blog and other digital platforms.
Coverage will include new residential and commercial developments, real estate market news, business openings and closures, local government decisions, infrastructure projects, community events, neighborhood changes, and other topics that influence where and how people live.
This is an excellent opportunity for an emerging journalist or recent graduate who wants meaningful responsibility, the freedom to develop original stories, and the opportunity to help build a local news platform from the ground up.
Key Responsibilities
Reporting and Story Development
- Identify and develop original story ideas involving local growth, development, business activity, real estate, and community life.
- Monitor local government agendas, planning and zoning meetings, development applications, building permits, property records, business announcements, and other public information sources.
- Research proposed and active residential, commercial, mixed-use, transportation, and public infrastructure projects.
- Cover local business openings, expansions, relocations, and closures.
- Report on real estate market conditions and translate complex housing data into clear, accessible information.
- Interview business owners, developers, government representatives, residents, real estate professionals, and other relevant sources.
- Verify facts using credible primary and secondary sources before publication.
- Maintain an organized pipeline of developing stories, planned articles, and follow-up coverage.
Writing and Publishing
- Write accurate, engaging, and original articles for the CENTURY 21 Edge website.
- Produce a combination of timely news updates, detailed reported stories, market analyses, community guides, and evergreen local content.
- Create compelling headlines, summaries, image captions, and supporting copy for each article.
- Write in a clear and conversational style that is useful to consumers without becoming promotional or sensationalized.
- Update previously published articles as projects, businesses, and community developments evolve.
- Follow established editorial, sourcing, attribution, correction, fair housing, and brand standards.
- Work with the marketing and technology teams to support search engine optimization, internal linking, article formatting, and online publishing.
Community and Multimedia Support
- Build relationships with local businesses, government agencies, developers, community organizations, and other potential news sources.
- Work with CENTURY 21 Edge agents throughout the region to identify potential stories and neighborhood developments.
- Attend selected public meetings, openings, community events, and project sites when coverage requires it.
- Take basic photographs and capture supporting visual content when appropriate.
- Assist with repurposing published stories into newsletter content, social media posts, and short digital updates.
- Occasional short-form video or recorded interviews may be requested, but this is not primarily an on-camera position.
Primary Coverage Areas Examples:
- Residential and commercial development
- New subdivisions and apartment communities
- Shopping centers and mixed-use projects
- Business openings, expansions, and closures
- Restaurants, retailers, and entertainment venues
- Planning, zoning, annexation, and land-use decisions
- Road, transportation, school, hospital, and infrastructure projects
- Real estate market trends and housing data
- New-construction activity and builder news
- Neighborhood growth and community changes
- Major employers and economic development
- Local events and community activities
- Issues affecting homeowners, buyers, sellers, renters, and local businesses
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, English, digital media, public relations, political science, or a related field preferred.
- Recent graduates and candidates beginning their journalism or communications careers are encouraged to apply.
- Strong writing, grammar, editing, and storytelling skills.
- Demonstrated ability to research topics thoroughly and communicate information clearly.
- Curiosity about local communities, development, business, government, and real estate.
- Ability to distinguish verified facts from rumors, assumptions, and promotional claims.
- Comfortable contacting unfamiliar people, requesting information, and conducting interviews.
- Able to work independently, manage multiple assignments, and meet publishing deadlines.
- Receptive to editing, coaching, and constructive feedback.
- Basic familiarity with digital publishing, social media, or content management systems.
- Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation for occasional local reporting assignments.
Preferred Experience
Professional newsroom experience is not required. Relevant experience may include:
- Writing for a college or community newspaper
- Student journalism or campus media
- Journalism, communications, or public relations internships
- Freelance writing or local news coverage
- Managing a community-focused website, newsletter, or social media account
- Reporting on student government, local government, business, development, or community issues
- Photography, podcasting, newsletter production, or short-form video
- Familiarity with Central Florida communities
The successful candidate will be someone who:
- Notices stories that other people overlook.
- Asks good questions and continues digging when an answer is incomplete.
- Can turn complicated information into a story the average reader can understand.
- Takes accuracy and credibility seriously.
- Writes with energy without exaggerating or sensationalizing.
- Is organized, dependable, and comfortable managing a developing story pipeline.
- Wants to help build something rather than simply complete assigned writing tasks.
- Is interested in growing into a larger editorial or leadership role as the publication expands.
Growth Opportunity
This position is intended to grow alongside the CENTURY 21 Edge community news initiative. A successful Community News Reporter may have the opportunity to advance into a position such as Community News Editor, lead freelance contributors, expand coverage into additional markets, and help shape the long-term editorial strategy of the publication.
This position is based in the Orlando area and will include a combination of office-based work, independent research, interviews, and occasional travel throughout the communities CENTURY 21 Edge serves.
Some assignments may require attendance at public meetings, community events, or business openings outside traditional office hours. Advance notice will be provided whenever reasonably possible.
Application Requirements
- A résumé
- A brief cover letter explaining their interest in local community journalism
- Two to five writing samples
- Links to any relevant articles, student publications, websites, newsletters, photography, podcasts, or digital media work
Finalists may be invited to complete a short paid reporting and writing assignment as part of the selection process.
