Government Accountability Reporter
We expect a journalist who can move fast when news breaks and produce stories that make a difference in the lives of our readers by holding officials accountable and explaining the impact of their decisions.
This is an editorial position focused on writing content across multiple platforms in a competitive, quick-paced, digital-first news environment.
You will not focus on covering meetings and routine events.
Instead you’ll sharpen our coverage of key government agencies in a town that’s built on government. You will break news that makes a concrete difference in the community and you’ll tell readers how issues directly touch their lives. Coverage will include issues of government spending, trends in business and industry, including agriculture, consumer news on openings, closings and changes that attract an extraordinary amount of readership.
Multiple short stories are expected during a day, including breaking crime news as needed, as well as weekly expanded stories that take a closer look at issues.
Responsibilities include:
Generate ideas for daily stories that appeal to local and state online and print audiences
Report and write compelling journalism on deadline
Shoot video on scene when warranted
Collaborate with editors, other reporters and visual journalists to develop full story and visual packages that appeal across all platforms
Write stories that are engaging and accurate
Write good SEO headlines, captions, summaries and social media posts to promote your work
Requirements:
Skills Needed: Excellent interpersonal, problem solving, and team player skills required. Leadership, strategic thinking experience and the ability to work with colleagues is essential. Must demonstrate the desire and skills to build audience loyalty, engagement and growth around compelling public service journalism. Reliable news judgment, advanced communication skills needed. An understanding of audience trends and digital media is important.
The ability to build sources and find facts, but also a talent for framing, writing and promoting a story via search and social media to ensure that it reaches and resonates with readers. Ability to speak Spanish is a plus.
Personal Attributes: Energy, flexibility, and online smarts. Need the ability to work well with a variety of editors and staff at all levels within a digitally evolving local newsroom. Aptitude for thinking big, working wisely and quickly learning and adapting. A demonstrated commitment to change.
Education: College degree required.
Experience: At least 2 years daily journalism experience preferred. Valid driver’s license. Good driving record.
This position will be based in our Kennewick, Wash., offices and will report to the Executive Editor. The position may involve working nights and/or weekends. Some travel may be required.
To Apply:
Please submit cover letter, resume and a link to a journalism portfolio, highlight daily and enterprise work.