Digital Reporter

CDS Global•United States,

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Digital Reporter covers immediate, important and influential stories and trends across multiple small community markets. The role requires initiative, accuracy, urgency, strong news judgment, quick writing and reporting, and the ability to manage a high volume of stories while optimizing their digital presentation through headlines, SEO and multimedia assets. The reporter must be able to self-assign and reprioritize in real time, work constructively with peer editing, and contribute to the editing of colleagues’ work. The position is hybrid and may be based in Beaumont, Laredo, Midland or Plainview, Texas.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in journalism or a related field.
News writing experience.
Familiarity with AP Style.
Strong news judgment and understanding of the local market.
Awareness of media standards for fair use and accurate content citation.
Proficient writing and fact-checking skills.
Ability to understand web metrics and use them to guide story choices toward KPI growth.
Organization and ability to meet deadlines in daily and breaking-news situations.
Ability to self-assign and reprioritize in real time.
Comfort with peer editing and contributing to peer edits.
Openness to off-typical schedules, including early mornings, late evenings and/or weekends.

Nice To Haves

Understanding of audience engagement metrics.
Knowledge of analytics and CMS tools such as Chartbeat and Google Analytics.

Responsibilities

Pitch and write 3 to 5 stories daily based on trends in local markets.
Report quickly, clearly and accurately, delivering news through stories, video, newsletters, social media and other available formats.
Identify the day’s top news stories using analytics and audience potential.
Recognize and cover breaking news in assigned markets, coordinating with other Hearst newspapers regionally.
Work with local and regional editors and the Hearst development team to experiment with ways to find and engage audiences on social platforms and through alternative story formats.
Develop and maintain a steady supply of sources for daily story ideas.
Maintain familiarity with agency contact information to obtain information quickly.
Pitch and create alternative content formats, including listicles, slideshows and timelines.
Collaborate with other newsroom staff on shared-byline projects as needed.
Promote story links on social media and grow a social media audience.
Participate in peer editing.