Local Government Reporter at Gannett in Augusta, Georgia

Job Description:

The Augusta Chronicle / augustachronicle.com, part of the USA TODAY Network , is seeking a local government reporter with the awareness, reporting and source-building skills, courage, and sensitivity to cover one of the most important beats in the newsroom: Augusta City Hall and the Columbia County Commission.

As a watchdog, storyteller and public servant, the reporter will confront disparities with vigor, remain dogged in the quest for ambitious solutions-based journalism and constantly look beyond data to humanize the most pressing issues facing two of east Georgia's largest governments.

Augusta and Columbia County are communities that form one of the largest metropolitan areas in Georgia.

Augusta government has been plagued for decades by racial tension among its elected officials in this predominantly minority city. On the opposite side of that coin is the mostly white, fast-growing Columbia County next door.

Challenges the council members and commissioners face include affordable housing, planning for development, public safety, resident quality of life related to tourism and transportation and infrastructure.

Both areas benefit from a significant healthcare community, including Georgia's largest medical school, and from Fort Eisenhower. The area also is home to Plant Vogtle, which encompasses the first two nuclear reactors built in the U.S. in the past 30 years. Oh, and the area is home to the world's most prestigious golf course and golf tournament, The Augusta National and The Masters, respectively.

The person in this position will also have opportunities to cover state politics, especially as it relates to the 2024 election with consideration toward Georgia's importance as a swing state.

This is the highest profile beat in our newsroom. The leading candidate will have the ability to identify the issues that will resonate with citizens and take readers beyond the council and commission meeting discussion regarding those topics. He or she will break news and regularly deliver insightful enterprise work.

We want a watchdog who is also a bulldog and considers holding government accountable a cornerstone of reporting.

It is important we tell these stories with short- and long-term content that resonates and helps us grow our digital audience. Candidates must have the skill to bring these complex topics to the living rooms of families across all demographics.

The candidate should have at least two years of reporting experience, including time covering local government.

Candidates should be able to show examples of their strength in reporting and writing. They should also be able to use visuals and digital elements to strengthen their stories and be comfortable using social media to help share their stories and engage with readers.

We are looking for someone who can find and tell good stories that make an impact in the community and with our readers. If this is the kind of journalism you want to do, get in touch. If you want to learn more about the position email Managing Editor Donnie Fetter at dfetter@gannett.com

Requirements:

• Bachelor's or master's in communications, journalism or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong communication skills, news judgment and headline-writing ability.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including empathy and compassion.
• Proficiency on social media platforms; including but not limited to Facebook, X/Threads, Instagram and Reddit, and experience engaging readers in this public space.
• Energetic self-starter and a fast thinker who can spot stories that matter.
• An understanding of metrics/analytics programs such as Parse.ly and Google Trends and development of story ideas derived from data.
• Understanding of SEO and other optimization opportunities and a demonstrated ability to learn new skills in social and digital.
• Ability to multitask and excel in a fast-paced environment under intense deadline pressure.
• Ability to work collaboratively and efficiently with a team of journalists.
• Strong writing, spelling and grammar skills and knowledge of AP style.
• Command of media law and principles of ethical conduct.

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 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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