Signal Akron is hiring reporters. We are looking for beat reporters for government, education, and public safety/health who will be a critical part of the Akron newsroom’s coverage team and report directly to the editor-in-chief (EIC) and managing editor. Each will be responsible for daily multimedia-driven coverage that holds officials and policymakers accountable, along with enterprise stories that dig deep across issues important to Akronites.
Job Responsibilities & Priorities:
- Produce a steady stream of local accountability reporting that will serve Akron residents as a primary source of information they need to understand their officials and policymakers and empower them to hold these powerful people to account.
- Deliver a combination of day-to-day coverage and ambitious, high-impact, and authoritative journalism that demonstrates Signal Akron’s reporting will empower Akron’s residents to make systems and processes work better for them.
- Develop a voice for their coverage that is solutions-focused and inclusive of formats needed to make information accessible to all residents, including guides, explainers, and other service journalism that translates reporting from the newsroom into content that helps people take action.
- Work collaboratively with other Signal Akron reporters to report on ongoing issues that cross disciplines. Work with our multimedia editor/producer and community/service reporter to make sure our content is visual and easy to understand for all our audiences.
- Work with the EIC and managing editor to develop an editorial strategy for the beat and what will be prioritized. This will include producing content for our website, newsletters, social media, and other formats as part of the newsroom’s overall mission.
- Work within a daily newsroom operation that is deeply collaborative, relies on teamwork, and centers on a community reporting program that partners directly with residents to help inform coverage priorities.
- Collaborate and learn with the Signal Akron Documenters; leverage the work of the Documenters, along with the newsroom’s community gathering spaces to make reporting deeper and more grounded in community voices.
Desirable Skill Sets:
- Demonstrated commitment to local, public service journalism with a track record of producing and/or leading impactful reporting.
- Strong understanding and knowledge of Akron neighborhoods and communities and respect for the knowledge community members can bring to the newsroom.
- 5+ years’ experience in daily local newsrooms
- Stellar news judgment and strong communication and writing skills.
- Ability to work under deadlines and prioritize work.
- Adept at problem-solving and detail-oriented with excellent organizational skills.
- Experience with and/or a strong understanding of building digital audiences
- Experien.ce telling stories on multiple platforms using audio, social media and/or video.
- Entrepreneurial spirit—they can thrive in a startup environment where they are expected to learn as they go, think innovatively, and build things from scratch.
- Ability to work evenings as needed.
- Strong interpersonal/communications skills – willing to negotiate and talk through issues honestly and clearly.
- Ability to maintain confidence when working with sensitive information.
- Ability to interact effectively with a diverse group of individuals internal and external to the newsroom.
- Team player – helps others and is supportive.
- Proficiency in using public records and/or data in your reporting.
For further information click here.
