Gannett seeks an education reporter

The Daytona Beach News-Journal /news-journalonline.com, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, is seeking an energetic and driven candidate to become our Education Reporter. Florida has been at ground zero of the nation’s culture wars, with controversial changes in curriculum, the blacklisting of certain books from classrooms and myriad other issues. This reporter will cover grades K-12 in Florida’s Volusia and Flagler counties known for their beautiful beaches and warm weather. This reporter will do more than just cover school board meetings. We are looking for a candidate who can tell the story of what it’s like to be a student in these uncertain times. Some other coverage areas include increasingly politicized school board elections, the influence of teachers’ unions, the profound shortage of instructors in the field, the impact of new start times for students and a voucher program in the state that is expected to spark a wave of new charter schools. The News-Journal offers opportunities for statewide projects and career advancement. This position is full-time with a great benefits package and current flexible hybrid work options.

About you:

• You are good at deadline reporting but are also capable of writing longer-term enterprise stories that get below the surface of the issues.
• You have some knowledge of public records laws and some experience with databases.
• You have a bachelor’s degree in journalism or education.
• You may be a recent college graduate, but you have experience writing for a news organization in a real-world environment.
• You have multimedia skills and can take photos, record video and sound.
• Most important, you have the passion to be a fearless watchdog journalist who is always looking out for the public interest.  

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.
• Connects 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.

 Requirements:

• Proficiency in building a brand on social media.
• Effective communicator; able to get along with diverse personalities.
• Able to multitask and excel under intense deadline pressure in a rapidly changing industry.
• Knows how to use time efficiently in a 24-hour newsroom.
• Works collaboratively within a cross-functional environment.
• Deep understanding of and curiosity about competition for our customers’ time and money.
• Self-motivation and self-direction.
• Applies innovative, creative thinking to support Free Press goals.
• Writing, spelling, grammar, AP and local style.
• Command of media law and Principles of Ethical Conduct.
• 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, motor vehicle record check and 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:

1. Your updated current resume – one to two pages.
2. A cover letter that outlines your interest in the position and 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.

For more information click here.