Solutions Journalism Fellow (Two‑Year Fellowship)

USA TODAY Co. • Tallahassee, FL

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Tallahassee Democrat, part of the USA TODAY Network, is seeking an innovative and community-focused journalist for a two-year Solutions Journalism Fellowship. This position is funded by the Community Foundation of North Florida, Press Forward and a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
This role is designed for a journalist who wants to produce high-impact, public-service journalism that goes beyond identifying problems to examine how communities are responding to them. The fellow will report on what’s working, what isn’t and why, while also contributing to the daily news report.
This role is intentionally designed as a hybrid position, with:
50% of the fellow’s time dedicated to solutions‑based, enterprise reporting, and
50% devoted to daily general assignment reporting, trending coverage, and passion topics that resonate with local audiences.
The primary mission of this reporter is to shine a light on the helpers in our community and provide solutions‑oriented, evidence‑based reporting that helps residents better understand efforts to address critical local issues such as education, housing, public safety, business, health care, workforce development, and environmental sustainability.
The reporter, who will produce quick hits, compelling profiles and deeply reported stories, will be based in the Tallahassee Democrat newsroom and will collaborate with editors and partner outlets in the Capital Region News Collaborative on special projects.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Strong Interest in solutions journalism and public service reporting.
• Strong reporting, writing and storytelling skills, including enterprise or explanatory journalism.
• Ability to analyze complex issues and explain them clearly.
• Familiarity with digital storytelling formats and audience‑focused journalism.
• An openness to coaching, collaboration, and experimentation in a modern newsroom.
• Knowledge of AP style and newsroom ethics standards.
• Early‑career and emerging journalists are encouraged to apply.
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the applicable location.

Nice To Haves

• The fellowship is geared toward retaining Tallahassee talent and qualified recent graduates of a journalism/communications program from a local Leon County university or college like Florida A&M University.

Responsibilities

• Report and produce solutions-oriented enterprise journalism that examines how communities, institutions, and organizations are responding to persistent local challenges.
• Collect results, metrics, anecdotes and evidence of impact to share successes and reflections with the foundation on a quarterly basis.
• Develop deeply reported stories that move beyond identifying problems to examine responses, evidence, outcomes, limitations, and lessons learned.
• Build and maintain diverse sources across government, nonprofits, education, business, and affected communities.
• Collaborate with editors to produce explanatory, narrative, and accountability stories for digital, print and social platforms.
• Engage thoughtfully with community members and readers to ensure coverage reflects real needs and concerns.
• Contribute to daily general assignment coverage, including breaking news, community events, and developing stories.
• Report on trending and timely topics that connect with local audiences and reflect how people live, work and interact in the community.
• Write quickly and accurately under deadline while maintaining newsroom standards for fairness and accuracy.
• Engage with readers and communities to inform coverage and build trust.
• Work collegially with other reporters and editors in the newsroom and across the USA TODAY Network.
• Uphold the highest standards of journalistic ethics, accuracy and independence.

Benefits

• A full‑time, two‑year paid fellowship focused on enterprise and solutions journalism.
• Coaching and mentorship from experienced editors and newsroom leaders, including funding for training, workshops, and national journalism conferences and professional dues.
• Opportunities to collaborate with other Press Forward‑supported journalists and outlets.
• A newsroom culture that values public service, innovation, and community impact.
• Competitive salary and benefits consistent with USA TODAY Network standards.
• Opportunities for career advancement in the USA TODAY NETWORK.

What This Job Offers

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