General Assignment Reporter - West Texas
Req #26357
Our current portfolio of media assets includes USA TODAY, local media organizations in 46 states in the U.S., and Newsquest, a wholly owned subsidiary operating in the United Kingdom with more than 120 local news media brands. Gannett also owns the digital marketing services companies UpCurve, Inc. and WordStream, Inc., which are marketed under the LOCALiQ brand, and runs the largest media-owned events business in the U.S., USA TODAY NETWORK Ventures.
To connect with us, visit www.gannett.com.
General Assignment Reporter - West Texas
The Abilene Reporter-News/reporternews.com, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, is seeking a general news reporter with experience across the board in newsroom assignments to cover West Texas.
Experienced, versatile reporter sought, with knowledge of city government a plus. Beat includes breaking news, features, analysis.
A primary focus is education, consisting of two local public-school districts, our schools in the surrounding 20-plus counties, three private universities including a Division I campus, a community college, a trades college and a Texas Tech satellite campus focusing on healthcare studies.
Education, of course, was front and center during the pandemic and will continue to be important. This job requires working with administrators and others in education, offering news stories, features and analysis of education issues. It requires work with state officials, and both video and social media skills to enhance coverage.
Like other reporter jobs, this includes whatever else develops locally in tandem with three other reporters. A teamwork philosophy is encouraged as each reporter also had a field of expertise to cover.
Our two school districts include Abilene, with more than 15,000 students, and Wylie, considered one of the state's fastest growing. Our high schools: 3 public, one private and one charter.
Abilene has bounced back from pandemic with 2023 promising to be a breakout year for business and downtown. City has three four-year universities, an Air Force base and is located on major interstate. A reporter who can go beyond meeting to inform the public is sought, someone who also sees the people side of the news beyond facts and figures.
Responsibilities:
- Create content (articles, videos, photos and social media posts) about local news that accurately informs, entertains and engages key audiences and platforms through the use of metrics.
- Provide thoughtful analysis of complex issues.
- Work toward becoming the community’s leading voice for news and issues in Fort Smith.
- Plan and execute engagement opportunities to reach audiences through content, community events and social media.
- Work with editor to evaluate what's working and what's not and develop ongoing plans to better satisfy audience needs.
- Collaborate with content team to provide all appropriate elements for stories (i.e., photos, videos, and graphics).
- Promote personal brand, the brands of colleagues and the institutional brand.
- Provide great customer service, helping readers find answers and solutions.
- Perform other duties as necessary.
Requirements:
- Bachelor's or master’s degree in communications, journalism, marketing or related field preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 1-2 years’ reporting experience, which could include freelancing, internships, and college publication work.
- Adept at taking photos and video and will file quickly across platforms: mobile, desktop and social media.
- Strong command of AP grammar and style.
- Strong copy-editing skills and the ability to produce content that is clean, accurate and publication ready.
- Is passionate and enthusiastic about news and content that will work well with audiences on social platforms.
- Comfortable in fluid, fast-breaking, stressful situations.
- A desire to grow and develop a key beat in our newsroom.
- Is comfortable using social media such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to enhance reporting and promote stories.
- Understands reporting ethics and sourcing.
- Excels in a fast-paced news environment and understands the digital first mission.
- Collaborates well with others and can work with a team on the biggest stories.
- News often requires employees to work extended hours, evenings, weekends and holidays, sometimes unexpectedly.
- This role requires a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and the minimum liability insurance required by state law.
- Employment is contingent on passing a post-offer pre-employment background check and a motor vehicle record check & drug screen.
We are eager to learn more about you and how you fit this role. When you apply, don’t limit your upload to a resume; show us what you’ve done. To do so, put together a single document file that includes the following, in this order:
1. Your resume – one to two pages.
2. A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job.
3. Links to 3-6 online samples of your work. Show us what you’ve produced or had a hand in that best reflects what you can do in your desired role.
It is important that these items be assembled into a single document and uploaded in PDF format. Completing these steps will ensure that your application receives the highest consideration.
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Other details
- Job Family Frontline Journalists
- Job Function Consumer
- Pay Type Hourly
- Required Education Equivalent Experience