Gannett (USA Today) seeks an education reporter, Stockton Record / recordnet.com

The Stockton Record / recordnet.com , part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, is seeking an education reporter to cover higher education and K-12 schools in the Stockton area of the San Joaquin Valley in California.

This beat includes Stockton Unified School District and its more than 50 schools and 40,000 students, along with the board of trustees that run the district. It may also include stories from outlying areas. This beat includes both daily stories. And longer more in-depth reporting on the district.

We are seeking a journalist who wants to lead coverage for the region and can develop sources. This person should enjoy speaking with real people, including parents, teachers and others affected by board policy and state laws. We need a reporter who isn’t afraid to ask the hard questions and doesn’t settle for limits set by school districts’ PIOs.

This reporter should not be afraid to hold public officials accountable.

Experience with public records requests, deciphering agendas and contracts and working with databases is preferred. Equity and inclusion are central to our reporting and we need a reporter who shares the mission of including the vast array of viewpoints from the most diverse city in the country, including a diversity of ages, genders, races, religions and physical and mental abilities.

Responsibilities:

• Work toward becoming the community’s leading voice in education reporting
• Connect with the community through storytelling
• Provide thoughtful analysis of complex issues
• Work with your editor to evaluate what’s working and what’s not and develop ongoing plans to better reach audience needs
• Collaborate with photographers to provide all appropriate elements for stories
• 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

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or master’s in communications, journalism or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• At least two years of reporting experience in a daily newsroom preferred.
• Strong communication skills, news judgment and headline-writing ability
• Strong interpersonal skills, including empathy and compassion
• Proficiency on social media platforms; including but not limited to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Reddit and experience engaging readers in this public space
• Energetic self-starter and a fast thinker who can spot stories that matter
• Experience shooting and editing photos and video on an iPhone
• Ability to multitask and excel in a fast-paced environment under intense deadline pressure
• Ability to work collaboratively and efficiently with a team of journalists
• Strong writing, spelling and grammar skills and knowledge of AP 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

For more details click here.