Local Government Watchdog/Breaking News Reporter

USA TODAY Co. • Palm Springs, CA

3d • $26

About The Position

The Desert Sun/desertsun.com, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, is seeking a reporter to cover nine Coachella Valley cities and Riverside County government. The role covers local government and accountability, breaking news, social justice, business and restaurant openings, weather, traffic, and public safety. The reporter will serve the local community while pursuing stories with potential statewide or national impact, using traditional reporting as well as video and other digital formats.

The reporter will hold public officials accountable and help audiences understand issues affecting their communities, including public spending, schools, and neighborhood safety. The position calls for developing trusted sources, examining agendas, budgets, and public records, and producing timely, compelling, well-sourced journalism. The reporter will identify stories for audiences across text, video, graphics, and social media, using audience metrics to inform story choices and working independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.

The position may involve early mornings, evenings, weekends, and occasional holidays. It requires a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and the minimum liability insurance required by state law. The stated minimum hourly rate is $26.00; base compensation may vary based on factors including work location, education, skills, certifications, and experience. Variable compensation, if applicable, is not included in the stated figures.

Requirements

• At least two years of previous reporting or newsroom experience in digital journalism.
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in communications, journalism, marketing, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience; the degree is preferred.
• Ability to produce clear, compelling copy for both breaking news and in-depth investigations.
• Strong knowledge of AP style and grammar.
• Good time-management and organizational skills.
• Ability to quickly distill information and determine an appropriate course of action.
• Familiarity with digital storytelling tools and techniques.
• Basic aptitude in photography and videography.
• Experience with video and alternative story formats.
• Strong social media skills and audience-engagement experience.
• Strong core journalism skills and a deep understanding of journalism ethics.
• Self-motivated and self-directed approach to work.
• Effective communication skills and ability to work with diverse personalities.
• Ability to multitask and perform under intense deadline pressure in a rapidly changing environment.
• Ability to use time effectively.
• Ability to collaborate in a cross-functional environment.
• Willingness to engage with peer feedback and training.
• Ability to apply innovative and creative thinking in support of company goals.
• Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and minimum liability insurance required by state law.
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the applicable location.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with the Coachella Valley or Southern California.
• Spanish language skills.

Responsibilities

• Report news quickly, clearly, and accurately through stories, video, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other methods of reaching audiences.
• Respond to breaking news and research, write, report, photograph, and/or produce video for a variety of stories.
• Demonstrate sound and timely news judgment on an ongoing basis.
• Develop sources and contacts among city officials, community leaders, residents, first responders, and police; build trust and engage with sources and audiences on social media.
• Experiment with new ways to inform and engage audiences on social platforms and through alternative story formats.
• Monitor real-time news, identify important and compelling stories for audiences, and pursue enterprise and investigative work to uncover underreported stories.
• Use analytics and audience potential to inform story choices and identify top news stories of the day.
• Write and/or produce multimedia content for key audience targets, optimizing the user experience on digital and social platforms.
• Cover local government and related community issues, including public spending, schools, neighborhood safety, social justice, businesses, weather, traffic, and public safety.

What This Job Offers

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