Service Journalism Reporter -- Springfield, IL

Society of Professional Journalists; Springfield (IL); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an energetic local government service journalism reporter. This role involves breaking news coverage and in-depth reporting on how local government decisions impact the community. The ideal candidate will thrive in a digital-first environment, producing engaging content across various platforms while collaborating with a dynamic team. If you are passionate about community journalism and eager to make a difference, this is the perfect opportunity to showcase your storytelling skills and connect with the audience in meaningful ways.

Qualifications

• 1-2 years of reporting experience, including internships and freelancing.
• Strong command of grammar, AP style, and media law.

Responsibilities

• Focus on service journalism centered around local government.
• Create quick-turn content for social media and digital platforms.

Skills

Service Journalism

Social Media Proficiency

Content Creation

Photo and Video Skills

AP Style and Media Law Knowledge

Self-Editing Skills

Community Engagement

Education

Bachelor's in Communications

Master's in Journalism

Tools

Social Media Platforms

SEO Tools

Job description

The State Journal-Register, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, is seeking a local government service journalism reporter who is energetic, flexible and puts our audience first.

Breaking and daily news are part of the beat. But this digital-savvy reporter also digs deep and develops exclusive reporting on how local government decisions affect residents and their families, their wallets and their neighborhoods.

The successful candidate is flexible and produces smart, context-filled stories and other content on tight deadlines while developing high-impact journalism on longer project schedules. They understand we are a digital-first news organization, and they are comfortable writing for various platforms. This role will fit your style if you're the kind of journalist who's always thinking of the next story - who has a pipeline of ideas and is eager to collaborate on sharpening and pursuing them.

The position will primarily focus on the Springfield region but will also be called to provide coverage of nearby communities, along with providing content of local, regional and statewide interest. The successful candidate will have a passion for community journalism and become part of the communities they cover.

The State Journal-Register is a daily newspaper with a primary focus on digital. We cover all of Sangamon County, which includes 29 cities and unincorporated areas. Reporters often have opportunities to collaborate with journalists across Illinois and the nation on enterprise projects and breaking news.

We are located in the Capital City, meaning Chicago and St. Louis are both within driving distance. There are plenty of great parks and scenery in and around the Springfield area.

Responsibilities:

1. Focus on service journalism centered around local government.
2. Capitalize on live, breaking and trending moments by creating quick-turn content for social media and other digital platforms.
3. Be proficient with social media tools and trends, specifically on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram.
4. Enhance content with video, galleries, SEO metadata, hyperlinks and images.
5. Produce content in alternative forms, such as listicles, Q&As, narratives, photo galleries and video.
6. Create storytelling that accurately informs, entertains and engages specific audiences and platforms using metrics. Works toward becoming the community's leading voice in area of expertise.
7. Work with local editor and digital producer/planner to evaluate what's working and what's not and develop dynamic plans to better satisfy audience needs.
8. Capture basic photos and video as needed.
9. Promote personal brand, the brands of colleagues and the institutional brand.
10. Provide great customer service, helping readers find answers and solutions.
11. Perform other duties as necessary.

Requirements:

1. Bachelor's or master's in communications, journalism or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
2. 1-2 years' reporting experience, which could include freelancing, internships and college publication work.
3. Experience covering government preferred.
4. Adept at taking photos and video and will file quickly across platforms: mobile, desktop and social media.
5. Command of grammar, AP style, media law and SPJ Code of Ethics.
6. Strong self-editing skills and the ability to produce content that is clean, accurate and publication ready.
7. Passionate about news content that engages audiences on social platforms.
8. Comfort in fluid, fast-breaking, stressful situations.
9. A desire to grow and develop a key position in our newsroom.
10. Collaborates well with others and can work with a dispersed team on the biggest stories.
11. This role requires a valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and the minimum liability insurance required by state law.

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.