Extreme Weather Reporter, The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, AZ

USA Today Co • Phoenix, AZ

33d

About The Position

The Arizona Republic/azcentral is looking for a weather reporter to make us the region’s authority for the one thing no one can stop talking about. We want someone who will live and breathe weather, for whom no temperature is too high and no rain puddle too deep, someone who can write with urgency when the storms approach, who can explain complicated topics when we get a heat dome or a haboob and who can find compelling ways to engage with our audience on the few days when it’s just sunny and mild. Arizona is home to America's hottest big city, where high temperatures can exceed 110 degrees for days on end every summer. But Phoenix sees a range of extreme weather: In the past year, we've been drenched three times by storms spun off from Pacific hurricanes. We've been swallowed whole by dust storms. We've seen freezing temperatures in December and 85-degree days in February. And our readers want to know about it. Our weather reporter will deliver across all our platforms, writing breaking news for azcentral, filming videos for Instagram and TikTok, answering readers’ questions about whatever weather is happening, and will help tell our audiences what to expect later today, tomorrow and into the next week. Weather is not only a water-cooler and social media staple, it helps fuel discussions about climate, development, and how you prepare your kids for school. Our weather reporter will become the hyperlocal expert for readers.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or master’s in communications, journalism or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least two years of reporting experience in a daily newsroom.
• Energetic self-starter and a fast thinker who can spot stories that matter.
• Ability to multitask and excel in a fast-paced environment under intense deadline pressure.
• Ability to work collaboratively and efficiently with a team of journalists.
• Strong communication skills, news judgment and headline-writing ability.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including empathy and compassion.
• Proficiency on social media platforms; including but not limited to Facebook, Twitter, Threads, Instagram, TikTok and Reddit, and experience engaging readers in this public space.
• Experience shooting and editing photos and video on an iPhone.
• Strong writing, spelling and grammar skills and knowledge of AP style.
• Understanding of media law and principles of ethical conduct.
• This role requires a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and the minimum liability insurance required by state law.

Nice To Haves

• Previous weather reporting experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Write forecast stories as the weather changes, with stories and in-the-moment videos.
• Connect national weather phenomena (polar vortexes, atmospheric rivers) with local conditions.
• Help readers understand those phenomena with explainer videos.
• Cultivate a personal connection with vertical videos about breaking weather and weather oddities.
• Contribute to our breaking news coverage of weather events.
• Contribute weekly to our AZ Climate newsletter.
• Contribute to our coverage of climate and environment, in stories, social posts, podcasts, the AZ Climate newsletter and on other platforms.
• Contribute to network coverage of breaking weather

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level