Metro Reporter (UNION)

USA TODAY Co. • Providence, RI

1d • Onsite

About The Position

USA TODAY Co., Inc. is a diversified media company with expansive reach at the national and local level, dedicated to empowering and enriching communities. They aim to inspire, inform, and connect audiences as a sustainable, growth-focused media and digital marketing solutions company. Their trusted brands include the USA TODAY NETWORK, comprised of the national publication USA TODAY and local media organizations, and Newsquest, a wholly-owned subsidiary operating in the United Kingdom. They provide essential journalism, local content, and digital experiences, delivering high-quality, trusted content with a commitment to balanced, unbiased journalism. Their digital marketing solutions brand, LocaliQ, supports small and medium-sized businesses. The Providence Journal, part of USA Today Co. and the USA TODAY NETWORK, is seeking a digitally savvy journalist to serve as their next metro reporter. This role involves identifying, verifying, and curating news that impacts readers in Rhode Island. The reporter is expected to handle breaking news coverage, quick-turn enterprise, investigations, and features. The job requires an understanding of social media platforms, Google Trends, audience metrics, and SEO techniques, along with quick, tight, lively writing and a competitive mindset to achieve top pageview charts daily. The metro reporter will cover government and trends in Providence, Warwick, Cranston, Pawtucket, and East Providence, with an emphasis on quality-of-life issues that matter most to young families, professionals, and diverse residents moving into these communities.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or master’s in communications, journalism or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least three years of professional journalism experience.
• Candidates should have facility with AI and automation and experience in using it to enhance their journalism.
• High-level writing, communication and time management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work well on deadline.
• Ability to produce content that is engaging, clean, accurate and publication ready.
• Comfort with using social media to enhance reporting and promote stories.
• Understanding of reporting ethics and sourcing.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

Responsibilities

• Research, report and produce accurate, compelling content that informs and engages readers.
• Be a curious, self-starting journalist who jumps to report on breaking news and trending topics with urgency.
• Use Google Trends and other search tools to mine story ideas from social media and news organizations.
• Produce content in alternative storytelling formats as needed to best reach the target audience.
• Optimize, aggregate and package content for digital publication.
• Enhance content with video, galleries, SEO meta-data, hyperlinks and images as needed.
• Use real-time metrics to respond to user demand and reader interest.
• Work collaboratively as part of a team with other reporters, photographers and editors.
• Occasionally, fill in on other beats as needed.

What This Job Offers

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