High School Sports Reporter (T2)

USA TODAY Co. • Asheville, NC

110d

About The Position

The Citizen-Times, part of the USA TODAY Network and a leading news and information source in Asheville, North Carolina, seeks a dynamic, energetic sports reporter to lead high school sports coverage in Western North Carolina. The reporter will lead the local conversation by producing compelling human-interest and enterprise stories, identifying trends, and covering sports beyond game results and athlete commitments. The role calls for strong multimedia skills, including producing and editing video, taking basic photos, and engaging audiences on social media. The successful candidate will write authoritatively about a range of sports, break news, and contribute to the newsroom’s digital-first mission. The position also involves serving readers and promoting the reporter’s, colleagues’, and organization’s work.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in communications or journalism, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Adept at taking photos and video and able to file quickly across mobile, desktop, and social media platforms.
• Strong command of grammar and AP Style.
• Strong copy-editing skills and ability to produce clean, accurate, publication-ready content.
• Passion and enthusiasm for news and content that performs well with audiences on social platforms.
• Comfortable working in fluid, fast-breaking, stressful situations.
• Desire to grow and develop a key beat in the newsroom.
• Comfortable using social media to enhance reporting and promote stories.
• Understanding of reporting ethics and sourcing.
• Ability to excel in a fast-paced news environment and understand the digital-first mission.
• Ability to collaborate with others and work as part of a team on major stories.
• Able to work occasional late nights or weekends as needed by the news cycle.
• 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 and, for driving roles only, a motor vehicle record check and drug screen.

Nice To Haves

• One to two years of reporting or newsroom experience is preferred; the position can also be entry-level.

Responsibilities

• Be the area’s leading voice in high school sports.
• Connect with the community through social media, including Instagram.
• Craft coverage based on historical success and adapt the approach based on digital metrics and audience needs.
• Capture basic photos and video as needed.
• Promote the reporter’s personal brand, colleagues’ brands, and the institutional brand.
• Provide great customer service by helping readers find answers and solutions.
• Produce compelling human-interest and enterprise stories and identify trends in local sports.
• Write about football, basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, soccer, and other sports.
• Produce and edit video and file content quickly across platforms.

What This Job Offers

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