Reporter

Job Description

Job Description

Community Reporter- Mt Pleasant

The Southeast Iowa Union is searching for its next rising star journalist. Our newest team member will be aggressive, hard-working, and a self-starter willing to work independently and together as a team to produce exciting print and digital news products. You will cover a wide variety of topics, from government meetings to community celebrations throughout Southeast Iowa – primarily in Mt Pleasant and Henry County. We are a part of a progressive print and digital media company including publications in multiple communities in Eastern Iowa, as well as our parent company, the Gazette in Cedar Rapids.

Summary : Gathers and writes a variety of news and features stories across a variety of topics and works to engage readers across multiple publications on varying deadlines, in innovative ways. This reporter should be as comfortable covering an ongoing news story as they are writing a great feature story or diving into a regional enterprise story. This position provides content for online and print platforms for multiple entities.

Responsibilities :

• Strong understanding of putting intermediate topics into context and writing clearly and concisely. Tracks trends on topical area and develops and cultivates sources (i.e. people, records, databases, etc.) across a wide variety of interests.
• Maintains a list of story ideas relevant to readers with emphasis on original enterprise stories that set an agenda for the city, county and / or region. Takes ownership of topical area(s). Is recognized as the in-house expert in topical area of expertise.
• Uses solid news judgement and strong writing skills to frame stories to local and regional audiences.
• Can shoot video and still pictures while gathering proper facts and details. May be responsible for performing basic video editing and web publishing.
• Can complete basic audio recordings, edit and post to topical websites.
• Identifies opportunities for using a variety of ways of storytelling (video, audio, pictures, text, etc.) and regularly finds opportunities to put the ideas into practice.
• Demonstrates proficiency in using existing and new tools to gather, display and report content and also present news in context. Attends training to learn and apply these tools.
• May be assigned page layout and design of select pages, possibly for multiple publications, using InDesign
• Adheres to all professional and company policies and ethical standards.

Job skills & attributes : Must be a flexible, self-motivated, creative go-getter and problem solver who works well independently and on a team. Must display technical aptitude and have strong ability to write and report well and distill complex subjects into understandable, accessible elements. Must have empathy and toughness and be a good listener. Must work well with others and be attentive to follow-up with sources and customers. Candidate possesses basic video and photography skills, but always has desire to learn new skills.

Minimum Requirements : Undergraduate degree in journalism, English or related course of study. Must have valid driver's license and history of safe driving habits. Must demonstrate ability to work quickly and accurately with limited supervision and must have ideas on how to present news in an ever-changing media landscape. Some video, photography skills are preferred.

Salary : Regular / Hourly 40 hours. Benefits available including health, dental, vision, 401k and more.

As part of a stable, employee-owned group of publications that include The Gazette in Cedar Rapids, the Washing Journal, The Mt Pleasant News and the Fairfield Ledger we can offer a competitive salary, excellent benefits, advancement opportunities and the ability to be a part of our ESOP.

EOE. Pre-employment background check, drug screen and MVR required.