Municipal government reporter

Gannett; Worcester (MA); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a digitally savvy reporter to cover City Hall in a vibrant Massachusetts city. This role involves engaging with the community, developing sources, and producing compelling content that addresses local challenges. The ideal candidate will possess strong writing and time management skills, thrive under tight deadlines, and be adept at using social media and SEO techniques. If you're passionate about journalism and eager to make a difference in local communities, this opportunity is for you.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of professional journalism experience preferred.
• Strong writing, communication, and time management skills required.

Responsibilities

• Cover City Hall and municipal reporting in Central Massachusetts.
• Develop sources and produce engaging content for local audiences.

Skills

High-level writing

Communication skills

Time management

Understanding of reporting ethics

SEO techniques

Social media understanding

Ability to produce clean content

Education

Bachelor's in communications or journalism

Master's in communications or journalism

Job description

Current Gannett Employees- Please ensure you are using our abbreviated process on the internal Careers site by logging into Dayforce through OKTA.

Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI) is a diversified media company with expansive reach at the national and local level dedicated to empowering and enriching communities. We seek to inspire, inform, and connect audiences as a scalable, growth-focused media and digital marketing solutions company. We endeavor to deliver essential content, marketing solutions, and experiences for curated audiences, advertisers, consumers, and stakeholders by leveraging our diverse teams and suite of products to enrich the local communities and businesses we serve. Our current portfolio of trusted media brands includes the USA TODAY NETWORK, comprised of the national publication, USA TODAY, and local media organizations in the United States, and Newsquest, a wholly-owned subsidiary operating in the United Kingdom. Our digital marketing solutions brand, LocaliQ, uses innovation and software to enable small and medium-sized businesses to grow, and USA TODAY NETWORK Ventures, our events division, creates impactful consumer engagements, promotions, and races. Gannett open roles are featured on various external job boards. When applying to a position at Gannett, you should be completing an application on Gannett Careers via Dayforce. Job postings directing you to complete an application on other external sites may not be valid. To connect with us, visit www.gannett.com.

The Worcester Telegram & Gazette/telegram.com, part of the USA TODAY Network, is seeking a self-starting, digitally savvy reporter to cover City Hall in Worcester, Massachusetts, the second-largest city in New England, and to assist with municipal government reporting in other Central Massachusetts communities.

Worcester is a growing city with a diverse population and a unique political culture. The ideal candidate will go beyond meeting coverage by getting to know Worcester's neighborhoods. The reporter will develop sources across the political spectrum and among community stakeholders in order to produce engaging content that speaks to residents' real-world challenges.

The reporter will have strong time management skills and will be capable of providing concise and accurate stories on tight deadlines while balancing longer-range enterprise and investigative work. The ability to take photos and video is essential; multilingual applicants are strongly encouraged.

The job requires an understanding of social media, audience metrics, and SEO techniques; quick, tight, lively writing; and a competitive mindset.

This is primarily a Monday-to-Friday job, but will include occasional weekend shifts and night shifts as needed to cover the beat.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's or master’s in communications, journalism or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 3 or more years of professional journalism experience or significant internship experience, preferred.
• High-level writing, communication, and time management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work well on deadline.
• Ability to produce content that is clean, accurate, and publication ready.
• Understanding of reporting ethics and sourcing.
• 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.

We are eager to learn more about you and how you fit this role. When you apply, don’t limit your upload to a resume; show us what you’ve done. To do so, put together a single document file that includes the following, in this order:

• Your resume – one to two pages.
• A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job.
• Links to 3-6 online samples of your work. Show us what you’ve produced or had a hand in that best reflects what you can do in your desired role.

It is important that these items be assembled into a single document and uploaded in PDF format. Completing these steps will ensure that your application receives the highest consideration.

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Gannett Co., Inc. is a proud equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a diverse workforce. As such, we will consider all qualified applicants for employment and do not discriminate in connection with employment decisions on the basis of an applicant or employee’s race, color, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, citizenship status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, marital status, personal appearance (including height and weight), sexual orientation, family responsibilities, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy status (including childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), education, genetic characteristics or information, political affiliation, military or veteran status or other classifications protected by applicable federal, state and local laws in the jurisdictions where Gannett employs employees. In addition, Gannett Co., Inc. will provide applicants who require a reasonable accommodation, as a result of an applicant’s disability or religion, to complete this employment application and/or any other process in connection with an individuals’ application for employment with Gannett Co., Inc. Applicants who require such accommodation should contact Gannett Co., Inc.’s Recruitment Department at [e-mail].