Charlotte Observer looking to hire two biz reporters

The Charlotte Observer is looking to hire a banking reporter and an economic development reporter, according to business editor John Arwood.

Here are the job descriptions:

Banking reporter

This reporter will be one of two Observer journalists covering banking and finance in Charlotte, the nation’s second-largest banking center. Reporting to the business editor, this reporter will produce significant watchdog-oriented enterprise on Charlotte-based Bank of America, as well as Wells Fargo and others with a presence in the region. Responsibilities include breaking news online, contributing to the award-winning Bank Watch blog, and writing stories for print that bring context and insight. He or she will write for an audience that includes consumers, employees, shareholders — anyone who’s affected by what the banks are doing. Which is to say, all of Charlotte.

Requirements: Four-year college degree. At least 5 years newsroom experience; business reporting experience strongly preferred. Must be skilled in mining documents such as securities filings for stories. Must be proficient, and preferably fluent, in social media.

Apply to obsjobs@gmail.com sending resume and clips. Put “banking reporter” in subject line. Apply by Friday, August 17.

Economic development reporter/columnist 

The Charlotte Observer is looking for a reporter who will cover economic development and write a blog and Sunday column about local, state and national economic trends. The Charlotte area is home to nine Fortune 500 companies, including Duke Energy and Bank of America — and it’s a region that seeks to diversify its economy beyond the financial sector after the devastating job losses that followed the financial crisis. We’re looking for a reporter who will break exclusive news on jobs in Charlotte: Who’s the next big company to move here? Who’s adding jobs? Who’s cutting jobs? More broadly, this reporter will chronicle Charlotte’s efforts to diversify its economy beyond the financial sector. He or she will also write with authority on the intersection between economic development and government, from tax incentives to land use. This reporter will have high visibility as a blogger and Sunday columnist, talking with Charlotte’s economic movers and shakers, asking hard questions, looking behind the stats to tell the real story of how Charlotte is doing, and highlighting entrepreneurs who are putting capital at risk and taking a chance on Charlotte.

Requirements: Four-year college degree. At least 8 years newsroom experience; business reporting experience strongly preferred. Must be skilled in mining documents such as securities filings for stories. Must be proficient, and preferably fluent, in social media.

Apply to obsjobs@gmail.com sending resume and clips. Put “economic development reporter” in subject line. Apply by Friday, August 17.