Virginian-Pilot seeks econ development/tourism reporter

The Virginia Beach news team of The Virginian-Pilot is seeking a talented, self-starting journalist whose muckraking skills and persistence in the face of all odds come as second-nature.

This reporter will be responsible for covering several key topic areas, including economic development, the city’s Department of Human Services and tourism-related issues.

The beat will also involve the efforts of Virginia’s largest city to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse population.

We want a skeptical digger who can keep an eye on government but find the human stories of those affected by bureaucratic decisions. We want someone who will closely follow economic trends and be ahead of the game on major projects coming to the city. We want someone who is comfortable cranking out a story from a meeting or delving into deeper issues affecting the city’s most vulnerable residents, including troubled children, the mentally ill and the homeless. We want someone who won’t throw in the towel when told “no” — someone who will find a way to get information regardless of roadblocks.

Essential Functions:

•   Write with flair, precision and accuracy.
•   Find and pursue compelling enterprise and investigative stories. Deftly juggle daily news and longer-term stories.
•   Use social media and pilotonline.com to promote stories and enhance reporting.
•   Respond quickly and with urgency to news so we don’t get scooped by competitors.
•   Produce a regular mix of stories, including breaking news and features.
•   Write in-depth explanatory and investigative articles that can involve computer-assisted reporting and Freedom of Information Act requests.
•   Develop strong sources in the social services, business and tourism communities.
•   Collaborate with reporters and editors throughout the newspaper on stories and story brainstorming.
•   Meet deadlines.
•   Travel for news coverage as required.

To apply, go here.