Housing Insecurity and Homelessness Reporter
Req #25642
Our current portfolio of media assets includes USA TODAY, local media organizations in 46 states in the U.S., and Newsquest, a wholly owned subsidiary operating in the United Kingdom with more than 120 local news media brands. Gannett also owns the digital marketing services companies ReachLocal, Inc., UpCurve, Inc., and WordStream, Inc., which are marketed under the LOCALiQ brand, and runs the largest media-owned events business in the U.S., USA TODAY NETWORK Ventures.
To connect with us, visit www.gannett.com.
The Statesman Journal/statesmanjournal.com, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, has an immediate opening for a watchdog reporter to cover housing insecurity and homelessness in Oregon’s capital city and across the Willamette Valley.
This reporter will work closely with our city, county, legislative and equity reporters in Salem, as well as participate in coverage of statewide and national housing and homelessness issues with The Register-Guard in Eugene and other USA TODAY NETWORK papers.
We are seeking a reporter who can spot trends, investigate policies and barriers surrounding access to housing, seek out solutions and tell stories from the perspective of the people most impacted.
Coverage topics will include Salem’s growing population of houseless individuals, rising home prices amid stagnant wages, urban growth boundaries and efforts to build enough housing stock at all levels to meet growing needs.
The candidate will have the ability to write quick-turn daily stories and weekly enterprise, as well as have the ambition to pitch longer projects. They must understand the standards and ethics around newsgathering and competently execute most of its primary forms, including source development, use of public records and data analysis.
But that’s not enough. The Statesman Journal prides itself on a newsroom culture that is collegial and collaborative. We require not only talented reporters and writers but good teammates who support each other and work well across the newsroom. We are seeking journalists with intellectual curiosity, a sense of justice/purpose, passion and compassion.
Salem is a growing city with a diverse population. More than a quarter of the region’s residents are Latino, and nearly one in three students in the school districts speak a language other than English.
In addition to state government, the city is home to the private Willamette University and a vibrant downtown culture. The options for travel and outdoor activities are endless, particularly for hiking and water sports. And if you want to get out of town, Salem is an hour from Portland, an hour from the beach and an hour from skiing.
Typical Job Duties:
- Creates storytelling that accurately informs and engages specific audiences and platforms using metrics.
- Works toward becoming the community's leading voice in the area of expertise.
- Connects with the community through storytelling and outreach (social media, on camera, forums, community leadership, etc.)
- Provides thoughtful analysis of complex issues
- Works with the editor to evaluate metrics, what's working, what's not, and to develop ongoing plans to better satisfy audience needs.
- Collaborate to provide all appropriate elements for stories, such as photos, videos, and graphics. Captures basic photos and videos as needed.
- Promotes personal brand, the brands of colleagues, and the institutional brand.
- Provides great customer service, helping readers find answers and solutions.
- Performs other duties as necessary.
Knowledge and Skills:
- Ability to produce top-notch watchdog journalism.
- Exceptional cross-platform storytelling skills.
- Self-motivation and self-direction.
- Advance knowledge of social media and how to engage fan base 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 intense deadline pressure in a rapidly changing environment.
- Knows how to use time effectively in a 24-hour news environment.
- Must embrace peer-to-peer feedback and training.
- Applies innovative, creative thinking to support the company's goals.
- Writing, spelling, grammar, AP, and local style.
- Industry knowledge.
- Organizational skills.
- Command of media law and Principle of Ethical Conduct.
Required Work Experience, Training, and Education:
- Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, or equivalent in experience and education.
- 0-5 years of experience with storytelling techniques on multiple platforms.
- Must have technical skills – basic understanding use of metrics, Microsoft Office Suite, videography, and photography.
- Must have required skills - social media, storytelling, analytical ability, time management, and interpersonal skills.
We are eager to learn more about you and how you fit this role. When you apply, don’t limit your upload to a resume; show us what you’ve done. To do so, put together a single document file that includes the following, in this order:
1. Your resume – one to two pages.
2. A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job.
3. Links to 3-6 online samples of your work. Show us what you’ve produced or had a hand in that best reflects what you can do in your desired role.
It is important that these items be assembled into a single document and uploaded in PDF format. Completing these steps will ensure that your application receives the highest consideration.
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Other details
- Job Family Frontline Journalists
- Job Function Consumer
- Pay Type Hourly
- Required Education Equivalent Experience