Suburban Growth & Accountability Reporter (UNION)

Gannett; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 38,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

The Columbus Dispatch/Dispatch.com is seeking a versatile watchdog reporter to cover assigned suburban communities in a fast-paced news environment. The role combines text and video on breaking news, service journalism and enterprise.

A deep curiosity, accountability mindset and ability to build a strong source roster are essential. The reporter will also author newsletters, master local buzz, and use audience metrics to steer coverage.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's in communications, journalism or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Two years of reporting experience in a daily newsroom.
• Strong communication skills, news judgement and headline-writing ability.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• SEO skills and proficiency on social media platforms, including Facebook, X, Threads and Instagram, and experience engaging readers in this public space.
• Energetic self-starter and a fast thinker who can spot stories that matter.
• Experience shooting and editing photos and video on an iPhone.
• Experience using artificial intelligence to assist news gathering.
• Ability to multitask and excel in a fast-paced environment under intense deadline pressure.
• Ability to work collaboratively and efficiently with a team of journalists.
• Strong writing, spelling and grammar skills and knowledge of AP style.
• Familiarity with using audience metrics to guide coverage.
• Command of media law and principles of ethical conduct.

Responsibilities

• Cover assigned suburban communities for The Columbus Dispatch/Dispatch.com.
• Produce text and video coverage of breaking news, service journalism and enterprise.
• Author newsletters highlighting suburban coverage and engage readers as a brand face.
• Infiltrate social media to develop sources and uncover exclusive stories.
• Cover growth, development, data centers, housing, traffic and related topics in a fast-growing area.
• Unravel complex issues using public records and deliver digestible, on-point stories.
• Break down politics and government actions for audiences with metrics-driven coverage.
• Collaborate with a team, cover trending and breaking news, and handle some weekend/night shifts.

Skills

News reporting

Strong writing

News judgment

Headline writing

Interpersonal skills

SEO skills

Social media proficiency

Self-motivation

Mobile journalism

AI for journalism

Multitasking

Teamwork

AP style

Audience metrics

Media law & ethics

Education

Bachelor's or master's in communications or journalism

Tools

iPhone video editing

Job description

The Columbus Dispatch/Dispatch.com seeks a versatile watchdog reporter to cover assigned suburban communities in a highly competitive, fast-paced news environment.

We are looking for a journalist who is comfortable with text and video coverage of quick-hit breaking news, service journalism and ambitious enterprise.

The best candidate has a deep curiosity and unrelenting commitment to get to the bottom of an issue, hold individuals and institutions accountable, and identify solutions. They also should be comfortable authoring a newsletter highlighting their suburban coverage and being a face and brand readers are eager to engage with in their assigned area.

This reporter will be attuned to the community and has a feel for the local buzz. They will infiltrate social media and develop a deep source roster so they can uncover and break exclusive, impactful stories about the topics and issues that matter most to our audience.

In this fast-growing area, growth and development, data centers, economic and social disparity, affordable housing, and traffic are among key coverage topics.

We expect that that this reporter will recognize compelling, shareable stories and will be quick to jump on them and consistently that makes a difference and helps retain and grow audience.

The best applicant will have experience with public records and be able to quickly unravel complex and controversial issues. They also should be able to author newsletters for readers.

This job is best suited for a journalist who can break down issues, politics, and government actions into digestible, to-the-point stories and use audience metrics to guide coverage decisions to stories that readers, viewers and listeners are interested in.

Versatility is essential, as coverage will stretch from stories about proposed new developments to the needs of a city's most vulnerable residents to city council races to service journalism about 10 new road projects to look for.

You will be part of a collaborative team and expected to jump in on trending and breaking news and cover for colleagues as needed. There will be some weekend and night assignments.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's or master's in communications, journalism or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Two years of reporting experience in a daily newsroom.
• Strong communication skills, news judgement and headline-writing ability.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• SEO skills and proficiency on social media platforms, including Facebook, X, Threads and Instagram, and experience engaging readers in this public space.
• Energetic self-starter and a fast thinker who can spot stories that matter.
• Experience shooting and editing photos and video on an iPhone.
• Experience using artificial intelligence to assist news gathering.
• Ability to multitask and excel in a fast-paced environment under intense deadline pressure.
• Ability to work collaboratively and efficiently with a team of journalists.
• Strong writing, spelling and grammar skills and knowledge of AP style.
• Familiarity with using audience metrics to guide coverage.
• Command of media law and principles of ethical conduct.

The hourly rate for this role will range between $27.85 and $31.83. 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.