The Fort Collins Coloradoan/Coloradoan.com, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, seeks a watchdog reporter to cover the urbanization of Larimer County, with a keen eye on how decisions by county and municipal governments impact the county’s residents and Colorado’s environment.
In this role, the right reporter will cover tensions surrounding multimillion-dollar water storage projects, examine the air quality and municipal planning impacts of housing price escalation pushing workers to former agrarian towns, and serve as a watchdog for the emerging governments of some of the nation’s fastest-growing communities.
This job is well suited for a reporter who can think critically and creatively and write with clarity and impact on complex issues. We will expect you to break important news and develop stories that engage our audiences on multiple platforms.
You must build trust with sources and have an eye for important details buried in local government agendas, budgets and public records. You should have work samples that demonstrate an aptitude for data-driven stories and familiarity with FOIA requests, and a track record of producing compelling, timely, well-sourced stories.
In addition, we will ask you to connect with the community not just via social media, but in person and during community events.
The Coloradoan is a digitally oriented newsroom that demands excellence in multi-platform storytelling. Want to wow us? Go beyond the byline. Show us how you can bring your work to readers in real time and via the many multimedia tools at your disposal. Show us excellent communication skills mixed with an inquisitive mind and a bold use of diverse sources. If you can show us those traits, we’d love to win with you.
Responsibilities:
- Creates storytelling that accurately informs, entertains and engages the audience.
- Connects with the community through reporting and outreach (social media, on camera, forums, community leadership, etc.). Provides thoughtful analysis of complex issues.
- Works with editors to evaluate what’s working and develops ongoing plans to 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:
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in communications, journalism, marketing or related field preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Work samples that demonstrate storytelling techniques on multiple platforms.
- Proven experience producing accurate reports under deadline pressure, in a style that resonates with mobile and social audiences.
- Proficiency on social media platforms including, but not limited to, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Reddit.
- Effective communicator; able to get along with diverse personalities.
- Ability to shoot basic photos and videos in a breaking news situation.
- Strong news judgement and ability to multitask.
- 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, motor vehicle record check and drug screen.
Expected salary range:
$40,000 to $50,000 per year (full-time, 40 hours per week, plus Gannett benefits package), depending on experience
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 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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