Public Safety, Criminal Justice and Breaking News Reporter

USA Today Co•Las Cruces, NM

14d

About The Position

The Las Cruces Sun-News/lcsun-news.com, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, is searching for an aggressive, digital-savvy reporter to cover public safety, criminal justice and breaking news stories in Las Cruces, New Mexico. This position demands strong news judgment and the ability to find and identify stories and trends that are immediate, important and influential. Our selected candidate produces smart, context-filled stories and quick-turn enterprise on tight deadlines while also pursuing meaningful reporting that focuses on presenting solutions. You’ll spend a typical work day doing everything from court hearings to community gatherings to stories that bubble up in the community online and offline to reach and engage our audience. Experience with public records requests, deciphering agendas, maps, site plans and contracts and working with databases is preferred. This role will fit your style if you’re the kind of journalist who’s always thinking of the next story – who has a pipeline of ideas and is eager to collaborate on sharpening and pursuing them – and if you’re comfortable using video and photography to help tell stories.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in communication, journalism, or equivalent in experience and education.
2-5 years journalism experience preferred, although entry-level candidates with strong intern experience urged to apply.
Core journalism skills (reporting, producing, editing, photography and videography).
Understanding of social media and how to engage audiences on digital platforms in public space.
Basic photo and video skills.
Effective communicator; able to get along with diverse personalities.
Able to multi-task and excel under deadline pressure in a rapidly changing environment.
Candidates should have facility with AI and automation and experience in using it to enhance their journalism.
Expertise in writing, spelling and grammar.
Familiarity with AP style or USA TODAY Co. style.
Flexibility to work some evenings and weekends.
This role requires a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and the minimum liability insurance required by state law.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of data-based reporting and use of spreadsheets such as Excel is a plus.

Responsibilities

Researches, reports, writes, and helps create compelling text and multimedia journalism about what matters to the community you cover.
Recognizes newsworthy events and trends and understands how to connect with our audience on multiple platforms.
Works with editors to shape storytelling to meet audience needs and interests on every platform.
Ability to shoot and edit video to enhance storytelling across digital and social platforms.
Develops relationships with diverse sources including officials, residents and experts, to provide unique insights.
Makes it a mission to inform and engage readers through immediacy, enterprise reporting and riveting storytelling.
Acts as a public ambassador through social media, video presentations and some community outreach.
Collaborates with editors and audience team members to provide appropriate elements for stories (i.e.: photos, videos and graphics).
Captures photos and videos as needed.
Uses independent judgment in day-to-day activities; has demonstrated success in problem-solving.
Understands the standards and ethics around newsgathering and can execute most of its primary forms at a commendable level, including source interviews, use of public records, data analysis and primary and secondary source research.
Understands good storytelling and successfully develops ideas.
Can write news stories with minimal guidance.
Can execute special projects by working closely with editors.
Provides great customer service, helping readers find answers and solutions.
Travels quickly to wherever the news occurs or is being disseminated.