Job Description:
Oxnard Communities ReporterThe Ventura County Star / vcstar.com , the leading news organization for a diverse region of 850,000 residents and part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, is looking for a dynamic reporter to cover Ventura County's largest city, Oxnard and its neighboring communities.
The Oxnard - area reporter will be responsible for identifying and writing the best stories from local government, politics and the spaces in between of a culturally and economically diverse region. An emphasis of the beat is agriculture and immigration, and ideally, this reporter will speak Spanish. The beat also touches on business, energy, housing and development and tourism as they pertain to the western part of the county.
The Oxnard - area reporter should be comfortable developing sources, digging into municipal budgets, filing public records requests and probing issues at city halls and beyond. The reporter will also possess an ability to cull data, crunch numbers and manage spreadsheets all in an effort to unearth untold stories.
We are located on the Southern California coast, within easy driving distance to Los Angeles, Malibu, Santa Barbara and the Central Coast. We have beautiful beaches and mountains, with sunshine and mild temperatures most of the year. It's the perfect location for someone who loves the outdoors.
Responsibilities:
- Break news and contribute daily stories, regular enterprise pieces and long-term investigative projects in coordination and collaboration with editors and fellow journalists.
- Take live video and still photos as necessary.
- Report, produce and publish stories quickly and accurately across multiple platforms.
- Use social media to enhance reporting, engage with the community and promote stories that feature your work and The Star's.
- Cultivate sources and provide behind-the-scenes coverage that goes beyond official actions and pronouncements.
- Use metrics to respond to user demand and reader interest.
Requirements:
- Bachelor's or master's in communications, journalism or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- At least 2 years' daily reporting/newsroom experience.
- Experience shooting photos and videos is required and will file quickly across platforms: mobile, desktop and social media.
- Strong command of AP grammar and style.
- Strong copy-editing skills and the ability to produce content that is clean, accurate and "publication ready."
- Is passionate and enthusiastic about news and content that will work well with audiences on social platforms.
- Comfortable in fluid, fast-breaking, stressful situations.
- A desire to grow and develop a key beat in our newsrooms.
- Is comfortable using social media such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat to enhance reporting and promote stories - not only to share information but also to listen for what the community is talking about.
- Understands reporting ethics and sourcing.
- Excels in a fast-paced news environment and understands the digital first mission.
- Collaborates well with others and can work with a team on the biggest stories.
- Ability to speak Spanish is preferred.
- Willing and able to work some nights and weekends as needed by the news cycle.
- This role requires a valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and the minimum liability insurance required by state law.
Application Instructions
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:
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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The hourly rate for this role will range between $16.44 and $38.70. Variable compensation is not reflected in these figures and based on the role, may be applicable. Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, location, and union representation, if applicable.
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