Reporter covering Quadra and Cortes Islands

Canada's National Observer is hiring a full-time reporter for Quadra and Cortes Islands to cover climate change impacts on local communities. The role involves reporting on climate-related issues affecting tourism, fisheries, and Indigenous communities. Candidates should have strong reporting skills, a background in climate policy, and a passion for storytelling. The position is based in Quadra and Cortes Islands, BC, for an 11.5 month term.
Canada's National Observer (CNO) delivers vital reporting on the defining crisis of our time: climate change. Through rigorous investigation and compelling storytelling, we reveal the impacts of climate change on politics, public health and business transformation.

With an audience of millions and over 400,000 who have access through subscriptions, CNO is Canada's leading source of

reporting on the climate crisis and the path to solutions. Our teams investigate the intersections of power, money, and climate action while amplifying solutions and celebrating innovation that drives possibility and change.

This is a full-time 11.5 month backfill (fixed term) position based in Quadra and Cortes Islands for a Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) project.

Job Description

The Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) reporter for Quadra and Cortes will report on the following:
• Climate induced droughts, wildfires, floods which can drive away tourists and cut off road access
• Warming oceans and streams that negatively impact salmon stocks, the shellfish industry, recreational and commercial fishing
• Coastal First Nations, including the Klahoose on Cortes, the We Wai Kai / We Wai Kum and Homalco based in Quadra Island and Campbell River as well as numerous other small rural coastal First Nations in North Island and the Central coast who are also navigating climate impacts, including the loss of salmon and other ocean resources, while working to build economic opportunities for their communities as traditional resource industries like fishing and forestry decline, while leading ground-breaking conservation efforts such as Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) and developing clean energy and climate solutions in their communities.

The reporter will use Civic Searchlight, a tool developed by CNO to monitor and search municipal meetings across the country, to enhance their reporting.

Key Responsibilities
• Report 1 story weekly, with allowances for extra reporting time when appropriate
• Report accurately, write engagingly and practice journalism ethically
• Develop contacts and information pathways on Quadra and Cortes Islands and the North Islands and the Central Coast
• Be an expert in climate change and federal climate policy and solutions as they impact Quadra and Cortes Islands
• Report on breaking news related to climate, from disasters to court decisions
• Be responsive to editors and colleagues
• Experiment with innovative ways to tell stories online

What we're looking for:
• Strong English-language reporting and writing skills
• A minimum undergraduate degree or equivalent experience
• Five-plus years of reporting experience, ideally with a focus on politics, climate policy, Indigenous issues and biodiversity
• A passion for climate change news and staying on top of the key political, policy and business issues in Canada that impact the climate agenda
• A track record of finding unique stories and angles, not following the pack
• A great storyteller
• Other multimedia skills like photography, videography, data journalism or social media are assets

Salary and benefits:
• Salary: $32.47 hourly/ 20 hours weekly
• Comprehensive Sun Life package (including dental, mental health counselling, wellness funds, gender affirmation coverage, travel insurance, and $25,000 life insurance)
• $125/month towards home office expenses
• This is a bargaining unit position under the J1 category in our collective agreement.

Start date: Mar. 2, 2026

End date: Oct 31, 2026

Please submit applications through the Bamboo Portal and include a cover letter and a resume. Any incomplete applications will not be considered. Please be advised we can only contact candidates we wish to interview.

Deadline for applications: Friday February 27, 2026

We thank everyone for their interest in working with the team at Canada's National Observer.