Community Connections Coordinator, WEWS

KSHB / KMCI / The EW Scripps Company•Cleveland, OH

8d•$60,000 - $70,000•Onsite

About The Position

WEWS, The E.W. Scripps Company ABC affiliate in Cleveland, Ohio, is hiring a Community Connections Coordinator to serve as a link between the newsroom and the communities it covers. The role builds meaningful relationships, develops credible story leads, coordinates community events and listening sessions, and helps journalists connect with trusted local voices. The coordinator also manages audience tips, supports breaking news coverage, and contributes to how WEWS serves Greater Cleveland. The position involves working with community organizations, residents, leaders, journalists, and station teams. It includes coordinating outreach and events, maintaining contacts and engagement records, supporting audience interaction across digital and in-person channels, and reporting on community insights and engagement outcomes. The role is based in Cleveland, Ohio. The annual salary range for candidates performing this work in Ohio is $60,000–$70,000. Scripps describes a culture focused on connection, belonging, inclusion, and reflecting the communities it serves.

Requirements

Generally, 5+ years of experience in journalism, communications, community engagement, nonprofit work, events, public relations, or related fields.
Strong listening, relationship-building, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to establish rapport with diverse community members and organizations.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Excellent organization, follow-through, and attention to detail.
Ability to identify and communicate relevant community information quickly and accurately.
Ability to collaborate effectively with journalists and station teams.
Comfort working independently in the community and adapting to newsroom needs.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, CRM/contact systems, social platforms, and collaboration tools.
Solid news judgment; comfort with newsroom urgency; ability to verify and relay information quickly; and understanding of how community tips can develop into stories.
Ability to communicate clearly and accurately across digital platforms, maintain professionalism in public-facing conversations, and collaborate closely with reporters, producers, anchors, meteorologists, and newsroom leaders.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree in a related discipline or equivalent years of experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Build and maintain relationships with community organizations, residents, leaders, and trusted sources to gather insights and identify issues, events, and story opportunities.
Monitor, track, and route audience tips, questions, and leads from community channels, communicating and escalating them to newsroom teams in a timely manner.
Support newsroom listening efforts, community conversations, and source development by connecting journalists with credible and diverse community voices.
Assist with breaking and developing news coverage by gathering community context, maintaining source networks, and providing timely information to newsroom staff.
Serve as a responsive point of contact for community organizations and residents, fostering positive relationships and trust.
Coordinate outreach, maintain partner and contact records, and represent the station at community meetings, events, and activities.
Support newsroom talent by coordinating interviews, identifying community contacts, gathering background information, and facilitating community appearances.
Coordinate logistics and execution for community conversations, listening sessions, public programs, newsroom events, special coverage initiatives, and station appearances.
Manage event activities, including outreach, scheduling, partner coordination, participant communications, on-site support, and post-event follow-up.
Support audience engagement across digital and in-person channels, including live discussions, community groups, neighborhood platforms, and other audience interaction opportunities.
Maintain community calendars, project plans, contact databases, and engagement records to support the market community strategy.
Track community insights, engagement outcomes, story leads, and best practices, and prepare summaries and reports to inform newsroom and community engagement priorities.

Benefits

Career path to grow professional experiences.
Full medical, dental, and vision benefits, as well as certain other health and wellness benefits.
Retirement savings plan with company match.
Disability accident insurance.
Hospital indemnity insurance.
Critical illness insurance.
Life insurance.
AD&D insurance.
ID protection.
Pet discount program.
Employee assistance program.