Paperboy News/Pierce County Journal seeks a sports reporter

Are you skilled at writing clear, concise and engaging copy? Do you love local sports? If you are dedicated to accurate reporting, telling the stories of local athletes and believe in the importance of local community journalism, we want you on our team.

Paperboy.news operates five local newspapers and is looking for a sports reporter in its Pierce County, Wis. location who can cover sports at the prep and regional level. Our staff is small, but we pride ourselves on covering five school districts, UW-River Falls and summer sports leagues.

You will fit in nicely if you are committed to local reporting and telling the stories of athletes, coaches and games. You can expect a variety of job duties, such as reporting game statistics, interviewing coaches and players, offering game commentary, and writing engaging features.

Job Responsibilities:

• Develop features on sports and athletes of interest to local audiences
• Cover games, meets and events, primarily at the prep level
• Shoots photos and/or video as part of game coverage
• Write stories using proper grammar and AP style guidelines while also ensuring they are compelling and professional in style and presentation
• Ability to double-check writing for clarity, grammar and overall story presentation; accept and make suggestions and assist with any revisions that need to be made
• Arrange and conduct interviews when needed
• Create relationships with coaches, athletic directors and athletes to develop access to credible sources for future stories
• Convert stories to be posted on company website, and create social media posts to drive traffic to the website
• Meet all deadlines for projects as requested by editor
• Actively participate in newsroom planning discussions

Job Skills & Qualifications

Required:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong understanding of high school sports
• Excellent command of the English language, especially the rules of syntax, punctuation, grammar, and AP Style
• Ability to work nights, weekends and holidays, as needed
• A focus on producing accurate and factual stories
• Experience in communications, as a newspaper reporter, writer or newspaper intern
• Proficiency with computers and other office equipment
• Ability to use a digital camera
• Excellent research and analytical skills; ability to break down complex concepts
• Excellent time management and ability to stick to deadlines
• Keen attention to detail
• Willingness to learn and take direction

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications or English
• Experience with social media posting and management
• Ability to think creatively and brainstorm fresh ideas

Supervision received:

Works independently, in collaboration with editor, advertising staff and publisher.

Primary job location:

Position is based in the Ellsworth, Wis. newsroom, but reporters also work remotely, as assignments and scheduling allow. Frequent local travel is required.

Email: sarah@piercecountyjournal.news

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