Coloradoan Reporter

USA-Today-Co.; Fort Collins (CO); On-site; USD 34,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

The Coloradoan in Fort Collins seeks a nimble journalist capable of covering court cases, wildfires and fast-breaking news across multiple platforms. The role demands strong video production skills and familiarity with reporting on social platforms.

We value innovation, collaboration, and a track record of publishing across formats. The ideal candidate can localize national/state stories, build sources, access public records, and produce video-first stories, including video-only pieces.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in communications, journalism, marketing or related field preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 2–3 years’ digital journalism experience, preferred.
• Able to file quickly across platforms: mobile, desktop and social media.
• Strong command of AP grammar and style.
• Ability to produce content that is clean, accurate and publication-ready.
• Comfortable in fast-breaking, stressful situations and using social media to enhance reporting.

Responsibilities

• Write quickly and clearly with a journalist's voice.
• Deliver news via stories, video, newsletters and social channels.
• Use metrics, including SEO, to inform story choices and beat strategies.
• Identify top stories based on analytics and audience potential.
• Collaborate with editors and reporters on social platforms and alternate story forms.
• Be a self-starter who can lead new coverage areas and ambitious projects.

Skills

Digital journalism

Video production

SEO

AP style

Social media

Interviews & sources

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in communications/journalism/marketing or related field

Tools

SEO tools

Video editing software

Job description

The Coloradoan seeks a talented journalist capable of covering multiple topics on multiple mediums. We seek someone nimble enough to cover a court case in the morning and a wildfire in the afternoon. Someone who can independently dig in on a single topic, or lend a hand to a fellow reporter in a pinch. Strong video production skills are required for this position and familiarity with reporting on social platforms is desired.

As our audience develops and evolves we seek to meet them where they are at and where they consume their news, and a qualified candidate is someone who understands this and can demonstrate a track record of publishing news to a variety of platforms in a variety of formats. The Coloradoan values innovation and collaboration, and a good candidate will bring both to this role. When applying, please provide examples of your writing, photography, videography and any other applicable materials that demonstrate your ability to meet the demands of modern journalism.

This reporter will be a swift breaking news reporter and in tune with what’strending each day, sometimes writing multiple times per day.This person will be expected to beamongthe newsroom’stoppageview producers. They willcreate quick videos foralmost everystory; sometimes producing video-only stories. This reporter willneed to have the basic skills of a reporter, knowing how to access public records(such as police records and body cam and surveillance video), build sources, conductinterviewsand find and read data.

Knowing and embracing Artificial Intelligence as a tool to improve theirreportingduties isa must. They will be asked to localize national and state stories for our audience. They will be asked to work with other reportersand editorsto create alternate URLS from existing stories.They will occasionally report in the field and will be a part of the newsroom’s coverage of big, breaking stories, such as wildfires, and tent-poleevents.They will sometimes be asked to work weekends.

Responsibilities:

• Write quickly and clearly, with voice.
• Deliver news via stories, video, newsletters, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or any other methods available to reach our audience.
• Use metrics to inform story choices and shape beat strategies. This includes being adept at SEO.
• Identify top stories of the day based on analytics and audience potential.
• Work with editors to experiment with new ways of informing and engaging audiences on social platforms and alternate story forms. This includes experimenting with long-tail (evergreen) content.
• A self-starter who is eager to take the lead on new coverage areas, as well as ambitious projects to grow our brand.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in communications, journalism, marketing or related field preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 2-3 years’ digital journalism experience, preferred.
• Able to file quickly across platforms: mobile, desktop and social media.
• Strong command of AP grammar and style.
• Ability to produce content that is clean, accurate and "publication ready."
• Passionate and enthusiastic about news and content that will work well with audiences on social platforms.
• Comfortable in fluid, fast-breaking, stressful situations. Also comfortable using social media to enhance reporting and promote stories.
• Understand reporting ethics and sourcing.
• Excel in a fast-paced news environment and understands the digital first mission.
• Collaborate well with others and can work with a team – including teammates and colleagues who are remote.
• Open to off-typical schedules, including the possibility of early mornings, late nights and/or weekend work. Able to be flexible as needed.

#Newsgnt

#LI-NC1

The hourly rate for this role will range between $25.00 and $32.00. Base compensation is reflective of many factors, including, but not limited to, the market in which one lives/works, individual education level, skills, certifications and experience. Note: variable compensation is not reflected in these figures and based on the role, may be applicable.