The Abilene Reporter-News, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, is seeking an energetic reporter to join our sports team to create impactful stories in an area that is deeply invested in Texas high school football and successful throughout the high school sports calendar. The Reporter-News retains a strong presence in the heart of the Big Country and a competitive media market.
While the big games are still important and football is at the top of the list, this is also an area with talented athletes across all sports. We are seeking a reporter who is comfortable on social media and can track down stories across the spectrum: breaking news, well-sourced enterprise, updates on key teams and athletes.
There's also opportunity for writing on issues and people beyond the field of play, as well as trending coverage of Division I Abilene Christian University.
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Abilene is a growing city of about 125,000 people about two hours west of the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area. With three colleges and a major Air Force base - Dyess - Abilene is a diverse community with an abundance of dining options, a thriving entertainment scene and a lively downtown area with restaurants and breweries.
Responsibilities:
- Create storytelling that accurately informs, entertains and engages specific audiences and platforms through the use of metrics.
- Work toward becoming the community's leading voice of expertise in high school sports.
- Connect with the community through storytelling and outreach (social media, on camera, forums, community leadership, etc.). Provide thoughtful analysis of complex issues.
- Work with editor and content strategist to evaluate what's working and what's not and develop ongoing plans to satisfy audience needs.
- Collaborate to provide appropriate elementsf or stories (i.e.photos, videos and graphics). 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.
Requirements:
- Bachelor's or master's degree in communications, journalism or related field preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Previous reporting experience preferred; even better if you've covered sports.
- Proficiency on social media platforms; including but not limited to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Reddit.
- Experience shooting and editing photos and video on a mobile device.
- Strong communication skills, news judgement 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.
- Ability to work some nights and weekends.
- Comfort building a beat and communicating with athletes and coaches.
- 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, drug screen and motor vehicle record 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.
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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