Reporter, Rapid Response Team

The Associated Press•Bismarck, ND

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Associated Press is seeking a versatile, competitive reporter to join its national Rapid Response Team based in North Dakota. This journalist will help drive coverage of the biggest breaking news stories in the country, delivering fast, authoritative reporting for AP’s global audience. As part of AP’s national report, the reporter will move quickly on major spot news, contribute to live and developing coverage, and deploy to significant events, working closely with colleagues across text, photo and video to produce distinctive journalism that stands apart from the competition. While the primary focus is national breaking news, the journalist will also identify stories from North Dakota and the Midwest that resonate far beyond state borders. This is a staff position covered by AP’s agreement with the News Media Guild.

Requirements

At least two years of full-time journalism experience at a daily newspaper, broadcast or digital newsroom, news agency or equivalent news organization.
A demonstrated track record of covering breaking news accurately and competitively under intense deadline pressure.
Strong reporting, interviewing and writing skills, including the ability to develop sources and quickly establish new ones when entering an unfamiliar story, community or subject area.
Strong digital reporting skills, including experience using social media, user-generated content and other online tools to find, verify and advance news.
Sharp news judgment and the ability to quickly distinguish credible information from rumor, misinformation and spin.
Competitive and driven to look beyond the obvious headline for scoops, distinctive angles and reporting others are missing.
Able to recognize when a local or regional development has broader national significance.
Comfortable moving between breaking news, live coverage and deeper enterprise and accountability reporting.
Passionate about putting people at the center of stories and able to make complex topics understandable to broad audiences.
A strong collaborator who can work effectively with AP journalists across all formats.
Dedicated to pursuing innovative and inclusive coverage while maintaining AP’s standards for accuracy, integrity, fairness and objectivity.
Advanced-level professional competency in written and spoken English.
Flexible thinking, strong organizational skills and the ability to juggle multiple reporting priorities as news changes.
The ability and willingness to travel on short notice and work nights, weekends and other shifts when coverage demands, as AP is a 24/7 operation.
Authorization to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

Experience finding and verifying user-generated content, including familiarity with OSINT and other digital verification techniques, is a plus.
Experience using public records, data and freedom of information laws to uncover information and advance reporting is a plus.
Experience covering food and agriculture, particularly issues affecting the Midwest and the nation’s agricultural economy, is a plus.
Knowledge of North Dakota, the Upper Midwest and rural communities is a plus.

Responsibilities

Cover some of the biggest breaking news stories in the country, moving quickly to establish what happened, what is known and what matters as events develop.
Rapidly develop sources, uncover exclusive information and identify the reporting that moves a story forward.
Build strong sourcing with federal, state and local officials, first responders, community and industry leaders, and others who can alert AP to significant developments and help explain what is happening behind closed doors.
Find, assess and verify user-generated content, social media posts and other digital material that can help establish and advance breaking news.
Move seamlessly between fast, incremental reporting, live coverage and deeper reporting that adds context, accountability and understanding.
Write quickly, clearly and accurately on deadline, put people at the center of coverage and work closely with AP journalists across text, photo, video, audio, digital, interactive and graphics to deliver a strong, cohesive report.
Identify emerging stories, trends and developments in North Dakota and across the Midwest that have broader significance.