Content Producer

Hearst; Jacksonville (IL); On-site; USD 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Retirement plan with matching

Paid time off

Job summary

Hearst Newspapers is seeking a Content Producer to cover the stories, people, and issues that matter most in the community. You’ll report on breaking news, attend meetings, build local sources, and develop enterprise stories that provide depth and accountability.

This hands-on role emphasizes timely, accurate reporting, compelling writing, and collaboration with editors and photographers to reach readers across digital and print platforms.

Qualifications

• Reporting experience in a newsroom, publication, or relevant media setting.
• Strong writing, interviewing, and newsgathering skills.
• Good news judgment and the ability to work under deadline.
• Curiosity, initiative, and a genuine interest in local communities.
• A collaborative mindset and willingness to jump in where needed.
• Comfort with digital storytelling and audience-focused journalism.

Responsibilities

• Cover the stories, people, and issues that matter most in the community.
• Report on breaking news, attend meetings and events, build local sources, develop enterprise stories.
• Collaborate with editors, photographers, and other newsroom teammates, and contribute story ideas.

Skills

News reporting

Strong writing

Interviewing

Newsgathering

Deadline-driven

Local community focus

Collaboration

Digital storytelling

Job description

Content Producer

Tell the Stories That Matter Most to Your Community

Your work can make a real difference here.

In a smaller market, local journalism is personal. It’s about more than headlines — it’s about helping a community stay informed, feel connected, and understand the people and issues shaping daily life.

At Hearst Newspapers, we’re looking for a curious, driven Content Producer who wants to do meaningful work in a place where strong journalism truly matters. This is an opportunity to be at the center of a community’s conversations — covering breaking news, uncovering important stories, and building trust with the people you serve.

If you’re energized by local reporting, excited to be part of a collaborative newsroom, and motivated by the idea of making a visible impact, we want to hear from you.

The Role

As a Content Producer, you’ll cover the stories, people, and issues that matter most in the community. You’ll report on breaking news, attend meetings and events, build local sources, and develop enterprise stories that add depth and accountability.

In a smaller market, this role is both important and highly visible. You won’t just be filing stories — you’ll be helping readers understand what’s happening around them and why it matters.

This is a hands‑on role for someone who is naturally curious, comfortable working in a fast‑moving environment, and excited to be deeply connected to the community they cover.

What You’ll Do

Cover the community with urgency and purpose

• Report on breaking news, local developments, and key community issues
• Attend meetings, events, and public forums to stay close to the story
• Write quickly and clearly for digital and print platforms

Develop strong, meaningful local coverage

• Build relationships with sources across the community
• Identify stories that reflect the concerns, values, and character of the region
• Produce enterprise stories that go beyond the daily headline

Help strengthen the local news report

• Collaborate with editors, photographers, and other newsroom teammates
• Contribute story ideas and bring energy to daily coverage planning
• Use digital tools, social media, and audience insights to better reach readers

What You Bring

• Reporting experience in a newsroom, publication, or relevant media setting
• Strong writing, interviewing, and newsgathering skills
• Good news judgment and the ability to work under deadline
• Curiosity, initiative, and a genuine interest in local communities
• A collaborative mindset and willingness to jump in where needed
• Comfort with digital storytelling and audience‑focused journalism

You ask good questions.
You build trust.
You understand that local stories can have lasting impact.

Why This Role Matters

In a smaller market, the connection between a newsroom and its community is immediate and real.

Your reporting can inform residents, spotlight issues that deserve attention, and help people feel more connected to where they live. This is a chance to do journalism that is seen, felt, and valued — and to grow your career in a role where your work has everyday relevance.

If you believe local journalism still matters deeply, this is the kind of role where you can prove it.

Our Commitment to You

At Hearst Newspapers, we support our employees through professional development and comprehensive wellbeing benefits, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Competitive retirement plan with matching
• Generous paid time off and paid parental leave
• Dependent care reimbursement
• Mental wellness support
• Inclusive healthcare benefits
• Pet wellness reimbursement

About Hearst Newspapers:

With 2,500 employees across the nation, HNP represents a network of 24 daily and 52 weekly publications, including the San Francisco Chronicle, Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Express‑News and Albany Times Union, several top digital‑only news and lifestyle sites, marketing services businesses, and entertainment businesses such as King Features Syndicate. At HNP, we are investing in new and innovative ways to tell stories–growing newsrooms, diversifying tools, evolving platforms–to support the millions of people who trust us each month to help them make decisions, take action and be inspired.

Hearst Midwest Media Group’s features seven dominant newspaper brands in Michigan and Illinois – covering the communities of Midland, Huron, Big Rapids, Manistee, Alton, Edwardsville, and Jacksonville. The mixture of daily and weekly publications, and network of go-to websites provide hyper‑local coverage, entertainment, and a serious journalistic commitment to watchdog and investigative reporting that impacts the areas they serve. In addition to its journalism, the organization provides innovative, unique advertising and marketing solutions for local and regional businesses to grow and succeed.

In accordance with applicable law, Hearst is required to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role if hired in the state of Illinois. The reasonable estimate, if hired in Illinois is $35,360. Please note this information is specific to those hired in Illinois. If this role is open to candidates outside of Illinois, the salary range would be aligned to that specific location. A final decision on the successful candidate’s starting salary will be based on a number of permissible, non‑discriminatory factors, including but not limited to skills and experience, training, certifications, and education.