Public Safety/Local Government Reporter Job at Gannett | USA TODAY NETWORK in Ab

Overview

Join to apply for the Public Safety/Local Government Reporter role at Gannett | USA TODAY NETWORK.

Responsibilities

• Create content (articles, videos, photos and social media posts) about local news that accurately informs, entertains and engages key audiences and platforms.
• Provide in-person coverage of events and meetings, as well as conduct in-person interviews.
• Provide thoughtful, in-depth coverage of complex issues.
• Work toward becoming the community’s leading voice for news and issues in Abilene.
• Plan and execute engagement opportunities to reach audiences through content, community events and social media.
• Work with the editor to evaluate what’s working and what’s not and develop ongoing plans to better satisfy audience needs.
• Collaborate with the 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 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 ability to file quickly across platforms: mobile, desktop and social media.
• Strong command of grammar.
• 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 key beats in our newsroom.
• Is comfortable using social media such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Reddit 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.

About

Gannett Co., Inc. is a diversified media company with expansive reach at the national and local level dedicated to empowering and enriching communities. We seek to inspire, inform, and connect audiences as a scalable, growth focused media and digital marketing solutions company. We endeavor to deliver essential content, marketing solutions, and experiences for curated audiences, advertisers, consumers, and stakeholders by leveraging our diverse teams and suite of products to enrich the local communities and businesses we serve. Our current portfolio of trusted media brands includes the USA TODAY NETWORK, comprised of the national publication, USA TODAY, and local media organizations in the United States, and Newsquest, a wholly-owned subsidiary operating in the United Kingdom. Our digital marketing solutions brand, LocaliQ, uses innovation and software to enable small and medium-sized businesses to grow, and USA TODAY NETWORK Ventures, our events division, creates impactful consumer engagements, promotions, and races. Gannett open roles are featured on various external job boards. When applying to a position at Gannett, you should be completing an application on Gannett Careers via Dayforce. Job postings directing you to complete an application on other external sites may not be valid.

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: Your resume – one to two pages; A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job; Links to 3-6 online samples of your work. 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.

Gannett Co., Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a diverse workforce. We do not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, citizenship status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy status, or other classifications protected by law. Applicants who require a reasonable accommodation should contact Recruit@gannett.com.