Statesman Journal / Gannett is hiring: Watchdog Reporter in Canton

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. We seek to inspire, inform, and connect audiences as a scalable, growth focused media and digital marketing solutions company.

The Canton Repository/CantonRep.com, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, is looking for a self-motivated, enthusiastic reporter to become the city of Canton watchdog reporter. We are interested in a candidate who enjoys breaking news on the city, being a watchdog and producing exclusive enterprise on topics impacting our Stark County population of 375,000 people.

The ideal candidate will juggle daily assignments along with long-range enterprise. They should look to include real people in their reporting and focus on storytelling. The ideal candidate should have a digital-first mentality; be able to create videos with their stories; be adept at source development, social media, public records, databases and other digital-focused tools; and be fluent in AP style.

Responsibilities

• Leverages community sources, online tools and public records to develop stories.
• Breaks exclusive stories, and provides thoughtful, fact-based analysis and narrative features.
• Produces videos.
• Works toward becoming the community’s leading news voice on city issues.
• Connects with the community through storytelling and outreach (social media, on camera, forums, community leadership, etc.)
• Collaborates with digital and print production team to provide all appropriate elements for stories (i.e., photos, videos and graphics). Captures basic photos as needed.
• Contributes to coverage of major events and national projects.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or master’s in communications, journalism or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 1-3 years’ reporting/newsroom experience.
• Understanding of metrics, social media and SEO.
• Proficiency on social media platforms; including but not limited to Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram and Reddit.
• Experience shooting and editing photos and video on a smartphone.
• Strong communication skills, news judgment and headline-writing ability.
• Ability to multitask and excel under intense deadline pressure.
• Ability to work collaboratively and efficiently.
• Strong writing, spelling and grammar skills; familiarity with AP style.
• 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 pre-employment, post-offer drug screen, motor vehicle record check and background check.

Application Instructions

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. Show us what you’ve produced or had a hand in that best reflects what you can do in your desired role.

Gannett Co., Inc. is a proud equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a diverse workforce. As such, we will consider all qualified applicants for employment and do not discriminate in connection with employment decisions on the basis of an applicant or employee’s race, color, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, citizenship status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, marital status, personal appearance (including height and weight), sexual orientation, family responsibilities, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy status (including childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), education, genetic characteristics or information, political affiliation, military or veteran status or other classifications protected by applicable federal, state and local laws in the jurisdictions where Gannett employs employees.