Journalist job description.
A journalist researches, verifies, and writes news and feature content for print, broadcast, or digital audiences. They pitch story ideas, conduct interviews, and work under deadline pressure to deliver accurate, well-sourced reporting that meets editorial standards.
The Journalist job description · $29
The full editable .docx — role summary, 8 worked responsibilities, qualifications, and skills, formatted for your letterhead. Delivered to your inbox within 24 hours — usually instantly.
Role: Journalist Reports to: Editor or Managing Editor
A journalist researches, verifies, and writes news and feature content for print, broadcast, or digital audiences. They pitch story ideas, conduct interviews, and work under deadline pressure to deliver accurate, well-sourced reporting that meets editorial standards.
- Research, pitch, and develop story ideas aligned with editorial priorities
- Conduct interviews with sources, experts, and stakeholders
- Verify facts and cross-check claims before publication
What's inside the document.
One-paragraph plain-English explanation of the role's outcome and scope.
8 responsibilities phrased the way the work is actually done.
4 qualifications a candidate must have to perform on day 30.
3 qualifications that would make a candidate excellent in year two.
6 skill chips you can copy directly into your ATS.
Editor or Managing Editor
A complete document set.
- Word document (.docx) — fully editable
- PDF — signature-ready
- Google Docs — one-click copy to your Drive
- 12 months of updates to this document
- Commercial-use licence for internal and client work
The work, not the title.
- Research, pitch, and develop story ideas aligned with editorial priorities
- Conduct interviews with sources, experts, and stakeholders
- Verify facts and cross-check claims before publication
- Write clear, accurate copy that meets house style and deadlines
- Cover assigned beats, events, or breaking news as needed
- Collaborate with editors on structure, tone, and revisions
- Build and maintain a network of reliable sources and contacts
- Adhere to journalistic ethics, attribution standards, and legal guidelines
Required — and what would make a candidate excellent.
- Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, or related field
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Demonstrated portfolio of published work
- Ability to work under tight deadlines
- 2+ years reporting experience at a newsroom or publication
- Experience with multimedia storytelling (audio, video, social)
- Familiarity with CMS and digital publishing tools
Eight steps from download to publish.
- 01Open the Journalist job description in Word or your one-click Google Docs copy.
- 02Replace placeholders for company name, reporting line, and location with your specifics.
- 03Tighten the summary to one paragraph that names the team's outcome, not just the role.
- 04Edit the responsibilities to match the actual scope of the seat — aim for 6 to 8 items, not 12.
- 05Separate required qualifications from preferred. Required is what a candidate must have to do the work on day 30; preferred is what would make them excellent in year two.
- 06Add salary range guidance using BLS, Payscale, or your own band data — do not copy generic figures.
- 07Have the hiring manager and one peer read it. Cut anything that wouldn't survive a candidate question.
- 08Publish to your ATS, intranet, and external careers page.
The right document at the right moment.
Use this Journalist job description any time you are opening or reopening a seat at this level. The mid band sets the calibration — copy the document, tighten it to your specific scope, and circulate to the hiring panel before the first interview.
The reporting line (Editor or Managing Editor) and skills list are starting points. Override either if your org structure or stack differs from the norm — the template is a draft, not a contract.
Honest answers before you download.
- Does a journalist need a journalism degree?
- Many employers prefer a journalism or communications degree, but a strong writing portfolio and demonstrated reporting experience can substitute for formal education.
- Is journalism experience required for entry-level roles?
- Entry-level roles often accept internship or student publication experience in place of professional newsroom history, provided the candidate can show published clips.
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This Journalist job description is a professionally drafted starting point for your hiring process and is not legal advice. Hiring practice varies by jurisdiction (e.g. pay-transparency laws differ across US states and AU jurisdictions). Adapt this document for your specific location and have employment counsel review any clauses you add before publishing. Salary varies by region, employer type, and experience. Reference BLS or current industry surveys for ranges. Full disclaimer.