Job Description:
The Government and You Reporter works collaboratively with other reporters, photographers, digital producers and editors at the Democrat and Chronicle and on the USA TODAY Network New York State Team to pursue stories and Instagram Reels of public interest and public impact for audiences in the city of Rochester and in larger Monroe County towns and villages.This reporter works to build relationships with community members and organizations, to obtain revelatory city and town public records and to deliver accurate and trustworthy information serving local residents and answering their pressing questions related to local government and to local quality of life.
This reporter places a focus on how local government and key institutions shape and change communities and lives, including but not limited to matters of public safety, infrastructure including roads and streets, taxation, growth and development, education, community events and overall quality of life. Holding leaders and institutions accountable is a key portion of ongoing coverage.
This reporter's work relates the impact local government's decisions and actions to the lives of city or town or village residents. Stories and social media posts help empower audience members to participate in community discussions and to help shape them.
HIGHLIGHTS:
The ideal candidate will:
- Deliver most stories in quick-turn fashion, completed in one day. About 20 percent of stories, however, will provide thoughtful analysis of complex issues that answers local residents' "how" and "why" questions regarding government actions and their impact.
- Where possible, deliver stories exhibiting a human dimension, often originating from neighborhood concerns. We don't write about government process; we focus on real-world relevance.
- Be adept and reliable in filing Freedom of Information Law requests in order to obtain records and data relevant to audience members' lives and well-being.
- Pay close attention to village, town, city and county-level elections, providing the information for which potential voters are searching well before early voting starts.
- Consider our target audiences, many of them diverse and who benefit from relevant and compelling text, video and multimedia journalism. Being inclusive in our sourcing and in our consideration of the impact of government activity is a vital part of this reporter's mission.
- Act as a public ambassador through social media, video presentations and some community outreach, including joining colleagues "tabling" at festivals.
- Collaborate with peers to provide all the appropriate elements for stories (i.e. photos, video, graphics and social media posts, particularly Instagram Reels.). This journalist shoots basic photos and video as needed.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.
- At least two years of applicable experience as a reporter/writer.
- Ability to capture and edit photos, videos and audio in the field, and/or a willingness to be trained in these areas.
- Familiarity with and/or willingness to learn how to file FOIL requests.
- Social media skills required.
- Proven experience with content management systems and social media channels.
- Ideal candidates will possess strong Ofce and PC skills.
- Effective time management and organizational skills.
KEY CONSIDERATIONS
- Strong writing skills and a command of grammar and style.
- Experience with social media and video platforms, like Instagram Stories, Reels, and TikTok, as tools to build audience and as a source for beat development.
- A self-starter who works collaboratively with others locally and regionally to meet common goals.
- A journalist committed to values of fairness, diversity, inclusion and professionalism.
HOW TO APPLY:
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:
- Your resume - one to two pages
- A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job
- Links to 3-6 online samples of your work. Show us what you've written, 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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