Shreveport, LA, USA Req #11462

Tuesday, August 25, 2020

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Breaking News/General Assignment Reporter

The Shreveport Times/shreveporttimes.com in Shreveport, Louisiana, a part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, is looking for a breaking news/general assignment reporter who loves the adrenaline rush and unpredictability of developing news.

When news breaks, whether it's crime, a fire or the FBI raiding a city official's office, we want this reporter to be able to adapt quickly. Our breaking news reporter will put a pin in what was planned for the day, pick up a notebook, pen and cellphone and get to the scene to immediately begin interviewing witnesses, shooting video and calling details to the newsroom for posting online.

This breaking news/general assignment position isn't about covering chicken dinners and ribbon cuttings. It's about city growth, social change and political nuance. It's telling stories about how we live and the decisions made that affect how we live.

It's for someone who isn't afraid of the biggest story of the day, the month, the year, and sticking with it, following through on news tips and developing the best multi-sourced story possible.

The Times is looking for a reporter strong with public information requests but hasn't forgotten how good old-fashioned shoe leather often leads to the best writing. The reporter is a strong storyteller who doesn't just break news but has the writing and multimedia skills that make readers invest into reading longer pieces.

We want a smart, ambitious, hard-working, nice reporter who is self-driven and independently develops a strong story. You will be required to use your discretion, creativity and news judgment to influence how we approach our coverage.

The Shreveport Times is part of the USA TODAY network and works closely with the other four USA TODAY network papers in Louisiana to exchange and share content.

Shreveport and Bossier City, which anchor our market, are in northwest Louisiana, with many opportunities for outdoor activities and a thriving arts and entertainment scene. The local LA Film Prize, offering $50,000 to a winning film short, has attracted many budding filmmakers. We're an easy drive from Dallas, New Orleans and Houston.

Shreveport and its sister city Bossier City are located on opposite sides of the Red River, the heart of the metropolitan area. Shreveport, located on the Louisiana/Texas border, is the cultural and gaming center of northwestern Louisiana. From slot machines to gaming tables and horse racing, Shreveport has something to offer every gambler.

If taking chances is not your game, enjoy the culture of the diverse city with its thriving downtown arts district, shopping and the plethora of locally owned restaurants. Bossier is home to Barksdale Air Force Base. The host unit at Barksdale is the 2nd Bomb Wing, the oldest bomb wing in the Air Force. Barksdale is equipped with about 44 B-52 bombers. More than 440,000 people call the Shreveport/Bossier City metropolitan area home.

Responsibilities:

• Creates storytelling that accurately informs, entertains and engages specific audiences and platforms through the use of metrics.
• Works toward becoming the community's leading voice in area of expertise.
• Serve as a public ambassador for our brand through community outreach and connecting with the community through storytelling and outreach (social media, on camera, forums, community leadership, etc.) Provides thoughtful analysis of complex issues.
• Works with content strategist to evaluate what's working and what's not and develops ongoing plans to better satisfy audience needs.
• Collaborates with content team to provide all appropriate elements for stories (i.e. photos, videos and graphics). Captures basic photos and video as needed.
• Promotes personal brand, the brands of colleagues and the institutional brand.
• Provides great customer service, helping readers find answers and solutions.

• Bachelor's or master's degree in communications, journalism, marketing or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience. We are open to recent college graduates, if you have a few strong internships under your belt.
• Previous reporting experience is a plus; even better if you've covered breaking news/social media.
• 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 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.
• This role requires a valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and the minimum liability insurance required by state law.

1. Your resume - one to two pages.
2. A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job.
3. 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.