Do you care about what goes on around you, wish your community had a louder voice, and want to make a difference? Then we may have a job for you.

We are looking to recruit a paid community reporter based in west Dorset – and no previous experience in news reporting is necessary.

The Community News Project is a partnership between Meta (the owner of Facebook), local news publishers and the NCTJ, creating up to 100 community reporter roles around the UK.

We are looking to recruit a reporter who cares about the communities of west Dorset and wants to bring their concerns, successes, events and campaigns to a wider audience.

You will be writing stories for the Bridport and Lyme Regis News and the Dorset Echo.

And for the first time, previous journalism experience or education is not essential. We want people who are passionate about local news, care about their communities and want to make a difference for people living in them by telling their stories.

In order to be considered, you need to have at least five GCSEs with Maths and English at a grade C or above (or equivalent).

We welcome applicants who are currently doing a completely different job and want to make a career change to become a journalist.

We are offering two routes into journalism as part of this scheme. For applicants with no previous NCTJ qualifications, we are offering training towards the Diploma in Journalism, the qualification that editors look for when hiring trainee-level journalists. Intensive training will be combined with on-the-job experience, reporting in local communities.

For applicants who already hold the Diploma in Journalism, there is the option to combine your CNP role with further, advanced training towards the NCTJ’s senior level qualification, the National Qualification in Journalism (NQJ), which marks the transition from junior to senior reporter.

In addition to competitive salaries, bonus structures (if applicable) and a contributory pension scheme, Newsquest offers a whole host of voluntary flexible benefits. These include birthday leave, eye care, hybrid working, cycle scheme, staff discounts, season tickets & parking loans and an employee assistance programme.

This is an apprentice/trainee level role.

If you feel this job is for you send a CV and covering letter explaining why you’re the right person for the job to jennifer.mulcahey@newsquest.co.uk

The closing date for applications is September 1, 2022.