Children and Education reporter Job at Gannett Co., Inc. in Louisville

Children and Education Reporter The Courier Journal, courierjournal.com, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK is looking for a Children and Education reporter to cover the unprecedented challenges facing K-12 education in Kentucky. This reporter will be part of a two-person reporting team. This beat begins with K-12 education, but it should be considered much, much broader and thought of in a fundamentally different way. Topics could include young families, the socio-economic well‑being of kids, access to health care, drug abuse, obesity, food deserts, high‑achieving students, third‑grade reading achievement, dropout and graduation rates, rural issues, access to arts education, internet access, teacher development and quality, safety – anything and everything that impacts the well‑being of Kentucky’s children and their futures. The beat will involve day‑to‑day coverage of the school board, superintendent and district employees but should not stop there. Those topics remain an important component but should not dominate daily coverage unless warranted. Think more in terms of shorter enterprise with mobile‑first focus, including spotlighting trends and providing accountability. The ideal candidate has the proven ability to tailor storytelling to social, video and digital platforms. Candidates should have a track record of covering these issues on a regular basis and a portfolio that reflects deep reporting and examples of strong storytelling. Responsibilities Research, report, write and help create compelling text and multimedia journalism delivering benefits to families and the broader community on how well teachers, coaches, caretakers, and policymakers are educating and supporting the development of the region and state’s children and young adults. Report on the protection of children, including issues such as violence (school, relationship, etc.), drugs, technology and mental health in concert with other reporters on the investigations and enterprise team or elsewhere in the newsroom. Make it a mission to inform and engage readers through a combination of breaking news, mobile‑friendly explainer stories, live chats and other non‑traditional story forms, as well as watchdog reporting and narratives. This requires answering from the get‑go how a story can deliver benefits to our target audiences. Use data, records and source development to provide deep and thoughtful analysis of complex issues. Act as a public ambassador through community outreach and connect with influencers and engaged readers through social media. Be comfortable and enthusiastic about using multiple and appropriate social media channels to enhance reporting and promote stories. Solicit community input, questions and concerns through online forms. Organize expert panels, community conversations and public forums to spark civic interest in children’s issues. Collaborate with other education reporters in the Midwest Region and network as assigned. Requirements Bachelor's or master’s degree in communications, journalism, marketing or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience. At least three years of reporting experience at a news organization preferred. Advanced knowledge of social media and customer feedback tools, including how to engage customers on digital platforms in the public space. Deep understanding of and curiosity about competition for our audience's time and money. Proficiency on social media platforms, including but not limited to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Reddit. Energetic self‑starter and a fast thinker who can spot stories that matter. Experience shooting and editing photos and video on an iPhone. Strong communication skills, news judgment and headline‑writing ability. Ability to multitask and excel under intense deadline pressure. Ability to work collaboratively and efficiently with a team of journalists. Strong writing, spelling and grammar skills; familiarity with AP style. Command of media law and principles of ethical conduct. This position involves an early start to the day and occasional weekend work. Experience engaging with diverse communities and facilitating public conversations. Familiarity with education issues, public policy, or child welfare preferred. How to Apply 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. 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 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. In addition, Gannett Co., Inc. will provide applicants who require a reasonable accommodation, as a result of an applicant’s disability or religion, to complete this employment application and/or any other process in connection with an individuals’ application for employment with Gannett Co., Inc. Applicants who require such accommodation should contact Gannett Co., Inc.’s Recruitment Department at Recruit@gannett.com. #J-18808-Ljbffr