Gannett (USA Today) seeks a reporter/government focused service journalist

The Zanesville Times Recorder/zanesvilletimesrecorder.com, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, is seeking a government-focused service journalism reporter who is energetic, flexible and puts our audience first.

The reporter will primarily focus on anticipating and answering the questions Zanesville-area residents have about how local government and decisions made by elected and key officials affect their lives, their families, their pocketbooks and their community.

This reporter will know what local governments are doing for citizens and the community through community outreach, source building and tracking the efficiency and effectiveness of government. It is much more than a municipal government beat, and also will include breaking and trending news assignments.

The successful candidate must have an ability to tell stories quickly when needed, in-depth when called for and always with accuracy. The successful candidate will have digital reporting skills and be comfortable with video, phone photography, requesting public records and analyzing data.

Responsibilities:   

• Focus on service journalism centered around local government.
• Capitalize on live, breaking and trending moments by creating quick-turn content for social media and other digital platforms.
• Be proficient with social media tools and trends, specifically on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
• Enhance content with video, galleries, SEO metadata, hyperlinks and images.
• Produce content in alternative forms, such as listicles, Q&As, narratives, photo galleries and video.
• Create storytelling that accurately informs, entertains and engages specific audiences and platforms using metrics. Works toward becoming the community’s leading voice in area of expertise.
• Work with local editor and digital producer/planner to evaluate what’s working and what’s not and develop dynamic plans to better satisfy audience needs.
• Capture basic photos and video as needed.
• Promote personal brand, the brands of colleagues and the institutional brand.
• Provide great customer service, helping readers find answers and solutions.
• Perform other duties as necessary. 

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s or master’s in communications, journalism or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Two years’ reporting experience, which could include freelancing, internships and college publication work.

• Experience covering government preferred.
• Adept at taking photos and video and will file quickly across platforms: mobile, desktop and social media.
• Command of grammar, AP style, media law and SPJ Code of Ethics.
• Strong self-editing skills and the ability to produce content that is clean, accurate and publication ready.
• Passionate about news content that engages audiences on social platforms.
• Comfort in fluid, fast-breaking, stressful situations.
• A desire to grow and develop a key position in our newsroom.
• Collaborates well with others and can work with a dispersed team on the biggest stories.
• 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 & 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 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.

For further details click here.