Legal Affairs Reporter
Req #27313
To connect with us, visit www.gannett.com
Legal Affairs Reporter
The Austin American-Statesman/statesman.com, located in the 11th largest city in the country and part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, is seeking a courts and legal affairs reporter to keep tabs on criminal justice in Austin's state district courts, proceedings in federal court and state appellate courts in the Texas capital.
Passing through Austin's courtrooms are extraordinary cases filled with family tragedy, investigative intrigue and high-stakes rulings from regional seats of justice.
We seek a candidate who understands that our job is to untangle the arcane world of jurisprudence. It's a beat that requires discernment and discretion, the ability to focus on the big-picture cases yet spot those gems in the lower courts.
But the work also should incorporate a broader view of the legal system through the lens of people of color and other historically disenfranchised populations in the community.
The reporter will also use social media and other platforms to build communities and loyalty to the Austin American-Statesman.
The reporter will not only contribute day-to-day nuts-and-bolts reporting, such as event coverage, elections and breaking news, but also be asked to assume a digital-first mentality.
Responsibilities:
- Create content (articles, videos, photos and social media posts) about local news that accurately informs, entertains and engages key audiences and platforms with metrics.
- Provide thoughtful analysis of complex issues.
- Work toward becoming the community’s leading voice for news and issues.
- Plan and execute engagement opportunities to reach audiences through content, community events and social media.
- Work with editor to evaluate what's working and what's not and develop ongoing plans to better satisfy audience needs.
- Collaborate with content team to provide all appropriate elements for stories (i.e., photos, videos and graphics).
- Promote personal brand, colleagues’ brands and the institutional brand.
- Provide great customer service, helping readers find answers and solutions.
Requirements:
- Bachelor's or master’s degree in communications, journalism, marketing or related field preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Adept at taking photos and video and will file quickly across platforms: mobile, desktop and social media.
- Foundational SEO skills including headline and page title writing, and Google Trends.
- Strong command of AP grammar and style.
- Strong copy-editing skills and the ability to produce content that is clean, accurate and ready to be published.
- Is passionate and enthusiastic about news and content that will work well with audiences on social platforms.
- Comfortable in fluid, fast-breaking, stressful situations.
- A desire to grow and develop a key beat in our newsroom.
- Is comfortable using social media such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to enhance reporting and promote stories.
- Understands reporting ethics and sourcing.
- Excels in a fast-paced news environment and understands the digital first mission.
- Collaborates well with others and can work with a team on the biggest stories.
- News often requires employees to work extended hours, evenings, weekends and holidays, sometimes unexpectedly.
- 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 post-offer pre-employment background check, motor vehicle record check and drug screen.
Application Instructions:
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:
1. Your resume – one to two pages.
2. A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job and demonstrates your reporting experience.
3. Clips of your work.
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.
#Content
#LI-NC1
Other details
- Job Family UNION
- Job Function Consumer
- Pay Type Hourly
- Required Education Equivalent Experience