State Politics and Government Accountability Reporter
The Argus Leader/argusleader.com, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, seeks an enterprising reporter to cover state government, with an emphasis on compelling, reader-focused stories.
The state politics and government accountability reporter will primarily cover the state's executive and legislative branches and use what happens at the state level to carve out local coverage about how state policy affects southeastern South Dakota residents.
The position will help put context to issues in the fastest-growing Midwest city and the largest city in South Dakota and help supplement state coverage for two of Gannett's smaller publications in South Dakota.
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This position may also help provide national coverage during election seasons, given that South Dakota's governor is on the shortlist for a vice presidential nomination. And for about the first three months of the year, this reporter must be comfortable and flexible with the idea of covering the Legislative session in Pierre, our state's capital, either in person or remotely.
This reporter will act as a watchdog over the state departments and the governor's office tasked with caring for South Dakotans' welfare as powerful agencies charged with enforcing laws, protecting consumers, and driving economic development.
The lifeblood of this reporter, though, is an ability to find the South Dakotans impacted by state policies and tell their stories in ways that engage and enlighten our audience.
The successful candidate will have experience with accessing public records, ability to analyze data, and will shape stories around the impact on communities rather than political actors.
The reporter must embrace our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and be relentless about including diverse voices in our storytelling. Video skills are a plus.
Responsibilities:
- Creates storytelling that accurately informs, entertains, and engages specific audiences and platforms using metrics.
- Works toward becoming the community's leading voice in the area of expertise.
- Connects with the community through storytelling and outreach (social media, on camera, forums, community leadership, etc.)
- Provides thoughtful analysis of complex issues
- Works with the editor to evaluate metrics, what's working, what's not, and to develop ongoing plans to better satisfy audience needs.
- Collaborate to provide all appropriate elements for stories, such as photos, videos, and graphics. Captures basic photos and videos as needed.
- Promotes personal brand, the brands of colleagues, and the institutional brand.
- Provides great customer service, helping readers find answers and solutions.
- Performs other duties as necessary.
Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in communication, journalism or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- At least three years of daily journalism experience.
- Ability to write clear, compelling articles that engage our audience and to enhance your work with video and other digital storytelling tools as appropriate.
- Understanding of social media and its uses.
- Understanding of metrics and ability to adapt based on feedback from data.
- Ability to multi-task and excel under deadline pressure, using time efficiently in a 24-hour newsroom.
- Skill at collaborating in a cross-functional environment and adapting in a rapidly changing industry.
- This job includes some evening and weekend work.
- This role requires a valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and the minimum liability insurance required by state law.
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:
1. Your resume - one to two pages.
2. A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job.
3. Links to no more than three published stories, writing samples and/or audio samples.
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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