The Caller-Times (Corpus Christi) is seeking a savvy, determined reporter to lead government and social justice coverage in the Coastal Bend.
The successful candidate will hit the ground running on exclusive, local stories capitalizing on our strong and growing economy, and the impacts of that economy on existing residents.
This beat has been known to go deep on stories about the energy sector, environmental projects, open records, social justice, boondoggle projects and politics. But the right candidate will be just as comfortable delivering service journalism stories that are data-driven (who's making what on the city council? ) or even 60-second reads that simplify complicated topics.
This reporter teams up with other reporters to produce multi-part premium special reports, such as the recent look at a local Native American community's drive to repatriate the remains of its ancestors, an effort hampered because the tribe is not federally recognized.
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The award-winning Corpus Christi Caller-Times serves Nueces County and also reaches into Aransas, Kleberg, and San Patricio counties with six daily print editions and a Saturday online-only edition.
Life in Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi is the eighth-largest city in Texas, according to the 2020 U.S. Census. It has almost 318,000 residents and is within a metropolitan area with 442,600 people. Our city's port is the fifth largest in the U.S., and the port authority provides plenty of news to cover as a main driver of our local economy.
The area is a center for oil and agricultural exports, with several refineries as well as other industries and a developing plan by the port and others to create a regional hydrogen fuel hub.
The area features spectacular beaches, fine and casual dining and lots of live entertainment. There is a rich outdoors culture here with opportunities for sailing, hiking and fishing, as well as other pursuits. The region has hot summers and temperate winters. It's not unusual to see large turtles wandering through neighborhood yards, and the local population of the critically-endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtles has a loyal fan base working to keep them safe.
Responsibilities:
- Leverages community sources, online tools and public records to develop stories about government and justice topics in the Corpus Christi area.
- Breaks exclusive stories, and provides thoughtful, fact-based analysis and narrative features.
- Works toward becoming the community's leading voice in area of expertise.
- 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 and video as needed.
- Contributes to coverage of major events and national projects.
- Promotes personal brand, the brands of colleagues and the institutional brand.
- Provides great customer service, helping readers find answers and solutions.
Requirements:
- Bachelor's or master's degree in communications, journalism or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 3-5 years' reporting/newsroom experience.
- Proficiency on social media platforms; including but not limited to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Reddit.
- 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.
- 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 post-offer, pre-employment background check, drug screen & 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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