Service Journalism Reporter -- Springfield, IL Job at Statesman Journal / Gannet

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Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI) is a diversified media company with expansive reach at the national and local level dedicated to empowering and enriching communities.

The State Journal-Register/ www.sj-r.com, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, is seeking a local government service journalism reporter who is energetic, flexible and puts our audience first.

Breaking and daily news are part of the beat. But this digital-savvy reporter also digs deep and develops exclusive reporting on how local government decisions affect residents and their families, their wallets and their neighborhoods.

Responsibilities

• Focus on service journalism centered around local government.
• Capitalize on live, breaking and trending moments by creating quick-turn content for social media and other digital platforms.
• Be proficient with social media tools and trends, specifically on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram.
• Enhance content with video, galleries, SEO metadata, hyperlinks and images.
• Produce content in alternative forms, such as listicles, Q&As, narratives, photo galleries and video.
• Create storytelling that accurately informs, entertains and engages specific audiences and platforms using metrics.
• Work with local editor and digital producer/planner to evaluate what's working and what's not and develop dynamic plans to better satisfy audience needs.
• Capture basic photos and video as needed.
• 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 in communications, journalism or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 1-2 years’ reporting experience, which could include freelancing, internships and college publication work.
• Experience covering government preferred.
• Adept at taking photos and video and will file quickly across platforms: mobile, desktop and social media.
• Command of grammar, AP style, media law and SPJ Code of Ethics.
• Strong self-editing skills and the ability to produce content that is clean, accurate and publication ready.
• Passionate about news content that engages audiences on social platforms.
• Comfort in fluid, fast-breaking, stressful situations.
• A desire to grow and develop a key position in our newsroom.
• Collaborates well with others and can work with a dispersed team on the biggest stories.
• This role requires a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and the minimum liability insurance required by state law.

Gannett Co., Inc. is a proud equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a diverse workforce.