High School Sports Reporter
About The Position
The USA TODAY Network is seeking a sports reporter to cover high school athletics in Livingston County, Michigan, for The Livingston Daily. The role covers seven high schools, NCAA Division I athletes from the area, and local Olympians. Game coverage is one part of the job; success also requires breaking news, feature writing, and enterprise reporting on the history and future of sports in the community. The reporter will focus on local journalism while collaborating with the USA TODAY Network’s 13 Michigan newsrooms on high school state tournament coverage. The organization emphasizes collaboration, mentorship, and growth. The position also involves engaging the community through reporting and outreach, developing expertise in high school sports, and using audience metrics and feedback to shape coverage. Applicants should submit one PDF containing, in order, a one-to-two-page resume, a cover letter outlining their approach to the role, and links to three to six online work samples.
Requirements
- Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and the minimum liability insurance required by state law.
- Proficiency with social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Reddit.
- Experience shooting and editing photos and video on a mobile device.
- Strong communication skills, news judgment, and headline-writing ability.
- Ability to multitask and work effectively under intense deadline pressure.
- Ability to work collaboratively and efficiently.
- Strong writing, spelling, and grammar skills; familiarity with AP style.
- AI and automation literacy, and willingness or experience using these tools to enhance journalism.
- Ability to work some nights and weekends.
- Comfort building a beat and communicating with athletes and coaches.
- Submit a PDF containing a one-to-two-page resume, a cover letter explaining the applicant’s approach to the job, and links to three to six online work samples.
Nice To Haves
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in communications, journalism, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Previous reporting experience, preferably covering sports.
Responsibilities
- Create storytelling that accurately informs, entertains, and engages specific audiences and platforms, using metrics.
- Work toward becoming the community’s leading voice of expertise in high school sports.
- Connect with the community through storytelling and outreach, including social media, on-camera work, forums, and community leadership.
- Provide thoughtful analysis of complex issues.
- Work with the editor and content strategist to evaluate what is working and develop ongoing plans to satisfy audience needs.
- Collaborate to provide appropriate story elements, such as photos, videos, and graphics; capture basic photos and videos as needed.
- Promote personal, colleague, and institutional brands.
- Provide customer service by helping readers find answers and solutions.
- Cover high school athletics, including games, breaking news, features, and enterprise stories.
- Collaborate with other network newsrooms on high school state tournament coverage.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Education Level
No Education Listed
