Reporter - Publication
About The Position
St. Cloud Live is a fast-growing, emerging digital and print news publication dedicated to delivering the local news, entertainment, and stories that matter most to the St. Cloud metro area. With a strong focus on digital innovation and audience engagement, St. Cloud Live’s journalism has earned widespread recognition, including nine awards from the Minnesota Newspaper Association in 2024, with four first-place honors! Located just an easy drive from the Minneapolis–St. Paul metro, St. Cloud offers the perfect blend of small-city living and access to big-city amenities. Residents enjoy a thriving local arts and culture scene, abundant parks and trails, growing restaurants and breweries, and community events that make everyday life vibrant and connected. With a lower cost of living than the Twin Cities and a strong sense of community, St. Cloud is an appealing place to grow your career and your life. St. Cloud Live is part of Forum Communications Company, a fifth-generation, family-owned media organization with more than 20 publications across the Upper Midwest, collectively reaching more than 5 million readers each month.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Mass Communications, or a related field preferred, or equivalent professional reporting/writing experience.
- 3+ years of previous writing experience for a newspaper, website, magazine, or specialty publication strongly preferred.
- Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with a solid grasp of AP style.
- Photography and basic photo editing experience preferred, and a strong commitment to journalistic integrity and ethics.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships with community members and business leaders alike.
- Strong news judgment and the ability to identify compelling story angles that resonate with local audiences.
- Ability to work efficiently under tight deadlines and organize multiple assignments, while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail using a Web-based content management system.
- Familiarity with digital publishing tools, social media platforms, audience engagement strategies, and digital analytics/digital tools is a plus.
- Willingness and ability to work flexible hours as the news happens, including evenings and weekends as needed, based on coverage needs.
- Must possess a valid driver’s license and a driving record that is insurable by the company.
- Must carry an acceptable level of vehicle insurance as required by the company.
Responsibilities
- Research and craft compelling stories that adhere to editorial and AP style and format standards for publication across both print and digital platforms - following leads and responding quickly to breaking news.
- Find, research, and tell stories tailored to the editor’s needs and target audience.
- Stay up to date on the latest current events - local politics, public safety and education topics, community events, and more.
- Become an active part of the local and surrounding communities, developing sources and partnerships as a trusted source of information.
- Contact and interview sources, and research tips and leads.
- Displaying sound editorial judgements, including a thorough understanding and application of the law, relevant codes of practice, and ethical principles.
- Drive audience loyalty and digital growth through engaging and timely content, developing unique story ideas and content around key categories that drive digital memberships and reader engagement.
- Collaborate with digital teams and make use of available tools and technology to gain insight into story metrics, determining new ways to create and present content online.
- Embrace a creative, collaborative approach with other team members and with other FCC departments and locations.
- Contribute to the overall advancement of digital initiatives; share and promote digital content through various social media channels.
- Maintain prompt and reliable attendance.
Benefits
- Health, dental, and vision packages
- Paid maternity and parental leave
- Company-paid short-term disability and life insurance
- Additional options for critical illness, accident, and hospital indemnity coverage
- Retirement benefits with company match
- Generous PTO and paid volunteer hours
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
Associate degree
