Eugene Weekly is looking for three freelance journalists to cover local government in a project funded by a Facebook Journalism Project grant as well as by a Google News Initiative grant.

The positions would involve covering Eugene City Council, the Lane County Board of County Commissioners or school board meetings either remotely during COVID-19 or in-person if and when that becomes feasible. Currently the positions are funded for five months.

Reporters would attend and then swiftly write up the meetings for online publication. The goal of the coverage is to increase community awareness of government decisions and increase local government transparency. The coverage would also be used to spur investigative and solutions journalism reporting and in-depth coverage for the print paper.

The positions each pay $90 a story and will require approximately one story a week for the next five months, with any additional stories paid separately. When meetings are on hiatus the writer would work on related government stories.

Ideal candidates have an interest in civics and political journalism as well as COVID-19, homelessness, housing and related issues.

A knowledge of journalism conventions and ethics is required, as well as the ability to write quickly and accurately. The positions are open to any level of journalist with a special consideration for student and early career writers.

To apply, email a cover letter explaining your interest in the position and journalism, references, a resume and three clips — for students, class-related journalistic writing is fine.

Mail to editor@eugeneweekly.com. Positions start when filled, and EW is looking to hire swiftly. EW is an equal opportunity employer, and those with diverse backgrounds and experience are encouraged to apply

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