About the Position
A host role built around reporting, evidence, and digital momentum.
Independent Heartland is seeking a highly motivated, creative, and mission-driven Lead Video Journalist & On-Camera Host to help launch our regional digital media operation in Nebraska.
This role bridges rigorous investigative journalism and highly engaging digital storytelling. Backed by two Associate Producers/Researchers and a dedicated Lead Editor, you will craft, script, and anchor compelling long-form video essays for YouTube and high-retention vertical explainers for TikTok and Reels.
Our initial launch is funded through the end of 2026, with the operational goal of establishing a permanent, self-sustaining newsroom in the Midwest. To find our foundational anchor, our hiring pipeline includes a paid, project-based audition phase for top finalists.
What You'll Make
High-retention journalism with real field reporting behind it.
What This Is Not
Not legacy broadcast packaging. Not empty punditry. Not content farming.
This is field-driven, evidence-backed, digital-first journalism for working people across Nebraska.
Core Responsibilities
You will report, script, host, and help shape the audience strategy.
- Act as the primary on-camera guide for original long-form video essays and docu-packages, alongside a consistent weekly slate of short-form vertical explainers.
- Travel across Nebraska to conduct on-the-ground interviews with independent family farmers, local organizers, working-class families, and lawmakers.
- Collaborate with the research team to translate legislative bills, corporate financial records, and policy data into clear, human-centric, narrative-driven scripts.
- Maintain a high standard of accuracy, timeliness, and objective fairness for all on-camera reporting, keeping content deeply relevant to working people.
- Work with the Head of Production and Ad Ops to optimize titles, hooks, and thumbnail concepts for audience retention and viewer growth.
- Deliver high-stakes investigative packages in an authentic, conversational, and accessible style that avoids rigid legacy broadcast formatting.
Qualifications
We are looking for journalism instincts and native digital fluency.
- 1-2 years of experience as a broadcast journalist, documentary video producer, or independent digital video essayist, with a YouTube or TikTok portfolio required.
- Deep understanding of digital-first video pacing, hook optimization, and audience retention metrics.
- Demonstrated interest in midwestern economic issues, agricultural monopolies, housing affordability, labor, and local utility or resource politics.
- Exceptional interviewing skills, with a proven ability to connect authentically with everyday working people and public officials.
- Excellent scriptwriting mechanics, with the ability to synthesize dense research into compelling prose.
- Must reside in, or be willing to immediately relocate to, the Omaha or Lincoln metropolitan area, with a valid driver's license for regular in-state travel.
Hiring & Audition Process
A transparent process with a paid finalist assignment.
Portfolio Review
We review your resume, on-camera samples, video work, and narrative instincts.
Introductory Screening
Qualified candidates move into a screening call focused on fit, availability, and editorial alignment.
Paid Project Test
Top 3-4 finalists are commissioned on a freelance contract basis to host and co-produce a one-off investigative video package at a premium flat project rate.
Final Selection
One creator will be selected for the full-time Lead Journalist role through our November sprint. Runners-up may be offered story-based contributor agreements.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote regardless of race, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law. We strongly encourage members of historically underrepresented and marginalized communities to apply.
Important Notice
To protect your privacy and ensure the legitimacy of our hiring process, only respond to official communications from our team. We will never ask for sensitive financial information or any form of payment during recruitment.