High School Sports Reporter

USA Today • Clarksville, TN

18h

About The Position

The Leaf Chronicle, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, is seeking a high-energy, digitally savvy writer to lead high school sports coverage in Clarksville, Tennessee. The ideal candidate will go beyond game recaps to find and tell compelling human-interest stories and identify trends for enterprise pieces. This role requires multimedia skills, social media engagement, SEO proficiency, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively. The reporter will be responsible for shooting vertical video for highlights, working closely with the statewide high school sports staff, and aggressively pursuing breaking news such as coaching changes and athlete commitments. Writing on potential trending news and developing relationships with schools, administrators, and coaches are key components of this position.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or master’s degree in communications, journalism or related field preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• College or other high-level sports beat experience preferred; strong digital skills required.
• Ability to develop strong sourcing and produce content that takes advantage of all formats available to us, including social media, mobile, desktop, video, television and print.
• Proficiency on social media platforms, including but not limited to Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
• Experience shooting and editing photos and video on an iPhone.
• Strong communication skills, news judgement 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.
• This role requires a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and the minimum liability insurance required by state law.

Responsibilities

• Fundamental understanding of how to grow subscriptions through topics, timeliness and storytelling.
• Commitment to becoming the leading voice in area of expertise.
• Connect with the community through storytelling and outreach (social media, on camera, etc.)
• Provide thoughtful analysis of complex issues.
• Works with region sports director and deputy region sports directors to evaluate what's working use metrics to develop ongoing plans to better satisfy audience needs.
• Collaborates with content team to provide all appropriate elements for stories (i.e. photos, videos and graphics).
• Captures basic photos and video as needed.
• Promotes personal brand, the brands of colleagues and the institutional brand.
• Provides great customer service, helping readers find answers and solutions.

What This Job Offers

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