Sports Reporter, Pueblo CO

USA Today•Pueblo, CO

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Pueblo Chieftain, part of the USA TODAY Network, is seeking a reporter to join our sports team who can create impactful stories about the sports scene in and around south central Colorado. The people of Pueblo are devout followers of local sports, particularly high school football, wrestling, and Colorado State University Pueblo athletics. To quench that thirst, we need a reporter who can hunt down a variety of types of stories: Breaking news, well-told features, updates on teams and athletes. There are also opportunities for enterprise reporting and we know that social media-driven content engages our readers more and more every day. Located at the base of the Rocky Mountains about 100 miles south of Denver, Pueblo is a vibrant city known for its cultural diversity, delicious food, and 300 days of annual sunshine. With its easy access to outdoor amenities — including the most popular state park in Colorado and the Arkansas River -- high-desert climate, and affordability, Pueblo provides some of the best opportunities Colorado has to offer and also serves as the gateway to the Southwest.

Requirements

A valid driver’s license, reliable transportation and the minimum liability insurance required by state law.
Bachelor's or master’s degree in communications, journalism or related field preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Previous reporting experience preferred; even better if you've covered sports.
Proficiency on social media platforms; including but not limited to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Reddit.
AI and automation literacy and a willingness or experience in using it to enhance their journalism.
Experience shooting and editing photos and video on a mobile device.
Strong communication skills, news judgement and headline-writing ability.
Ability to multitask and excel under intense deadline pressure.
Ability to work collaboratively and efficiently.
Strong writing, spelling and grammar skills; familiarity with AP style.
Ability to work some nights and weekends.
Comfort building a beat and communicating with athletes and coaches.

Responsibilities

Create storytelling that accurately informs, entertains and engages specific audiences and platforms through the use of metrics.
Work toward becoming the community’s leading voice of expertise in high school sports.
Connect with the community through storytelling and outreach (social media, on camera, forums, community leadership, etc.).
Provide thoughtful analysis of complex issues.
Work with editor and content strategist to evaluate what's working and what's not and develop ongoing plans to satisfy audience needs.
Collaborate to provide appropriate elements for stories (i.e. photos, videos and graphics).
Capture basic photos and video as needed.
Promote personal brand, the brands of colleagues and the institutional brand.
Provide great customer service, helping readers find answers and solutions.