Health and Public Policy Reporter
Req #18888
Our current portfolio of media assets includes USA TODAY, local media organizations in 46 states in the U.S., and Newsquest, a wholly owned subsidiary operating in the United Kingdom with more than 120 local news media brands. Gannett also owns the digital marketing services companies ReachLocal, Inc., UpCurve, Inc., and WordStream, Inc., which are marketed under the LOCALiQ brand, and runs the largest media-owned events business in the U.S., USA TODAY NETWORK Ventures.
To connect with us, visit www.gannett.com.
Health and Public Policy Reporter
The Springfield News-Leader/news-leader.com, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, is looking for a dynamic watchdog who can report on the COVID-19 pandemic as well as endemic issues like homelessness, domestic violence and poverty, related public policy and the business of health care.
The ideal candidate will look for community concerns to write about, seeking to go deeper than surface level news to show how those issues affect residents of the Queen City. The focus will be on writing for families and workers, rather than agencies or health systems, with an emphasis on accountability and potential solutions.
You will need to think critically and creatively and write with clarity and impact on complex issues. That means helping the community understand where it’s been, where it’s going and what’s at stake.
Experience covering health care or local government is a plus, as is a familiarity with public records and the state Sunshine Law. More important is the desire to seek context and share it, to become a resource for readers and acknowledged expert on local issues.
The ability to find unique approaches and to jettison ideas that are not working is essential. The reporter will be expected to work with managers and use metrics and audience research to guide decisions about covering topics and issues and to engage with readers on a variety of platforms to drive audience and subscriber growth.
The News-Leader is the daily newspaper for Missouri's third-largest metro. Springfield, a city of 170,000, is a regional hub for business, health care and education. A gateway to the Ozarks, it boasts a bevy of outdoor recreational opportunities.
Responsibilities:
- Create storytelling that accurately informs, entertains and engages specific audiences and platforms, providing a news product that demands attention and dominates community conversations.
- Be courageous about experimentation. Identify enterprise opportunities and chase them with passion.
- Leverage diverse tools, text, images and video to reach readers in print, digital and on social media.
- Be a team player who likes to collaborate with coworkers.
- Use metrics and analytics to increase digital audience and engagement and grow digital subscriptions.
- Serve as an ambassador to the community on the News-Leader’s behalf and actively seek to engage with marginalized portions of the community.
- Pitch in with stories on other topics and perform other duties as necessary.
- On occasion, work extended hours, evenings, weekends and holidays, at times unexpectedly. News happens.
Requirements:
- Bachelor's or master’s degree in communications, journalism or related field preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Three years of professional experience.
- A strong foundation in core writing and reporting skills and familiarity with public records.
- Enthusiasm for deep research and artful storytelling.
- Solid news judgment and a commitment to accuracy.
- Top-notch planning, organizational and time management skills.
- Communication, communication, and communication.
- Command of media law and principles of ethical conduct.
- Understanding of metrics, social media and SEO.
- Self-motivation and self-direction.
- Ability to multi-task and excel under intense deadline pressure in a rapidly changing environment.
- 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 and a motor vehicle record check & drug screen.
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 5-10 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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Other details
- Job Family Frontline Journalists
- Job Function Consumer
- Pay Type Hourly
- Required Education Equivalent Experience