The News Tribune seeks a breaking news reporter

The News Tribune seeks a smart, energetic breaking news reporter to join its award-winning newsroom in Tacoma, one of America’s most diverse and fast-growing communities.

Our next breaking news reporter will focus on what is happening right now in Tacoma and greater Pierce County, from crime to traffic to what-is-that questions from readers.

At The News Tribune, we put a premium on breaking stories first as well as investing in hard-nosed, accountability journalism that our audience can’t get anywhere else.

Our journalism focuses on our local communities, and in that role we have the ability to spotlight problems, highlight solutions and truly make a difference — all the reasons you got into journalism. We are part of McClatchy, a digitally driven company focused on innovation, with newsrooms in 30 communities in the United States.

We’re looking for a self-paced reporter who can spot and report stories without waiting for an assignment and who can cultivate reliable sources.

A typical day might include covering an overnight homicide, pivoting to a wreck on Interstate 5 that is causing a massive traffic jam, then using records and interviews to write about an arraignment in Superior Court. Familiarity with police and court records is a must, as is the ability to conduct quick interviews and mine social media and other nontraditional sources for story ideas and material. The ability to write quickly and concisely is imperative.

The expected schedule is Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. with an hour-long lunch break.

In this role, you will need to:

• Find great stories that are highly readable and contribute to our mission
• Use social media platforms to help distribute and highlight work
• Use SEO intelligently and strategically; understand other audience-growth processes
• Understand and use audience metrics to help increase readership
• Shoot photos and video when needed
• Skillfully use content management systems
• Use data and research to inform reporting

The successful candidate should meet many, though not necessarily all, of the following requirements:

• College degree preferred
• Solid news judgment and excellent journalism ethics
• An intuitive sense of what’s important and interesting to audiences on all platforms
• A deep curiosity and high energy
• A commitment to diverse coverage through community engagement and source building
• A collaborative work ethic and the ability to communicate easily with people on our team and across the company
• Proficient knowledge of technology, including content management systems and storytelling tools
• Ability to quickly and accurately research and verify the authenticity of information, sources, photos and video.
• Must have reliable transportation.
• Must have valid driver’s license and vehicle insurance required (at least minimum insurance required for the state in which the employee works).

This position will be based in Tacoma and will report to the local news editor. The position may involve working nights and/or weekends and some holidays. Some travel may be required.

The anticipated base pay range for this position is between $21.63 and $24.04 per hour.

To apply, include a persuasive cover letter, your resume and three to five examples of your best work.

For more details click here.