Housing Reporter

Gannett; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

The Cape Cod Times, part of USA TODAY Co., is seeking a journalist to cover housing affordability, developments and related public safety, court and local government stories. Based on Cape Cod, with Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, the beat includes quick-turn pieces and enterprise work, plus short vertical videos for social.

You will analyze trends, work with editors and photographers, and use data to better inform audiences about local housing and community issues.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's in communications, journalism or equivalent
• High-level writing, communication and time management skills
• Vertical video-making experience
• Demonstrated ability to work well on deadline
• Understanding of reporting ethics and sourcing
• Facility with AI and automation to enhance journalism

Responsibilities

• Write quick-turn stories on the news of the day as well as enterprise stories and investigations
• Produce short vertical videos for news coverage for social platforms
• Be curious, assertive, and self-starting in reporting breaking news and trends
• Provide thoughtful analysis of complex issues
• Collaborate with editors, digital and social partners to evaluate performance and plan improvements
• Collaborate with photographers to provide all elements for stories
• Create quick-turn content for live, breaking, and trending moments on social media and digital platforms
• Be proficient with the latest social media tools and trends
• Use metrics to monitor real-time readership and adjust content accordingly

Skills

Strong writing

Deadline-driven

Vertical video creation

Social media proficiency

Analytical mindset

Education

Bachelor's/Master's in communications or journalism

Job description

The Cape Cod Times, part of USA TODAY Co. is seeking a journalist for our housing beat and to contribute to our public safety, court and local government coverage.

In this assignment, the journalist will cover anything and everything related to housing affordability, housing developments and lotteries on Cape Cod primarily along with Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard.

Cape Cod's 15 towns are all facing an array of housing issues, from affordable and workforce housing to residents being priced out of homeownership, especially as seasonal communities. Reader demand for stories about affordable housing, apartments, housing lotteries, housing development, workforce housing continue to increase and are expected to into the future.

Additionally, this assignment will include some high-profile court cases and public safety issues.

The assignment gives the journalist a chance to break news, track trends and analyze their beats, and think at an enterprise level within the larger context of southeastern Massachusetts in stories and videos.

Cape Cod is home to more than 240,000 people in a beautiful seaside environment that offers access to many outdoor activities - on land and water. The Cape, located about an hour south of Boston, has a vibrant creative economy from music to theater and craftspeople to writers. And the Cape is home to some of the most highly regarded scientific research institutions in the world.

This Journalist Will Be Expected To

• Write both quick-turn stories on the news of the day as well as more in-depth enterprise stories and longer-term investigations.
• Produce short vertical videos for news coverage to reach new audiences on social platforms
• Be a curious, assertive, and self-starting journalist who jumps to report on breaking news and trending topics with urgency
• Provide thoughtful analysis of complex issues
• Work with editors, digital and social partners to evaluate what's working and what's not and develop ongoing plans to better satisfy audience needs
• Collaborate with photographers to provide all appropriate elements for stories
• Capitalize on live, breaking and trending moments by creating quick-turn-around content for social media and other digital platforms
• Be proficient on the latest social media tools and trends
• Use metrics to monitor real-time story/content performance, determine digital readership/traffic patterns and make changes in content tied to the data

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's in communications, journalism or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• High-level writing, communication and time management skills
• Vertical video-making experience
• Demonstrated ability to work well on deadline
• Ability to produce content that is clean, accurate and publication ready
• Understanding of reporting ethics and sourcing
• Candidates should have facility with AI and automation and experience in using it to enhance their journalism
• This role requires a valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and the minimum liability insurance required by state law
• Employment is contingent on passing a pre-employment, post-offer drug screen, motor vehicle record check and background check

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The hourly rate for this role will range between $21.88 and $34.13. 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.