High School Sports Reporter

USA TODAY Co. • Topeka, KS

119d

About The Position

The Topeka Capital Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network, is seeking a reporter to cover sports in and around Shawnee County, Kansas. The role focuses on local high school sports, including breaking news, features, and updates on teams and athletes, with opportunities for enterprise reporting and coverage of Washburn University men’s basketball. The reporter will create audience-focused journalism across platforms, build expertise in the local sports community, and connect with readers through storytelling and outreach.

Requirements

• Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and the minimum liability insurance required by state law.
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in communications, journalism, or a related field preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proficiency with social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Reddit.
• AI and automation literacy, and willingness or experience using them to enhance journalism.
• Experience shooting and editing photos and video on a mobile device.
• Strong communication skills, news judgment, and headline-writing ability.
• Ability to multitask and excel under intense deadline pressure.
• Ability to work collaboratively and efficiently.
• Strong writing, spelling, and grammar skills; familiarity with AP style.
• Ability to work some nights and weekends.
• Comfort building a beat and communicating with athletes and coaches.

Nice To Haves

• Previous reporting experience, preferably covering sports.
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in communications, journalism, or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Create storytelling that accurately informs, entertains, and engages 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, and capture basic photos and video as needed.
• Promote personal, colleagues’, and institutional brands.
• Provide customer service by helping readers find answers and solutions.
• Cover local high school sports, including breaking news, features, and team and athlete updates; pursue enterprise reporting and coverage of Washburn University men’s basketball.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed