Education Reporter at Gannett in White Plains, New York

Job Description:

The Journal News/lohud.com is looking for a reporter to cover K-12 education in Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties, a high-profile beat of interest to students, parents, teachers, administrators and taxpayers as they grapple with getting learning back on track post-COVID 19. This is not a sit-in-meetings-and-report beat.

You will cover some of the most affluent districts in the country --- along with majority-minority and struggling urban districts. Our readership area includes the Yonkers school district, NYS's third largest with almost 30,000 students.

You must be able to cover breaking news from individual school districts as the need arises, provide smart and fresh coverage of regional and statewide education trends that affect our audiences, and develop enterprise and watchdog projects that hold public school districts accountable.

In this role, you will also get to write for and about students most impacted by America's legacy of discrimination and its ongoing impact on education.

You will participate in our award-winning coverage of one of the most compelling education stories in the United States: The East Ramapo (Rockland, NY) school district, where two-thirds of the student population attend loosely regulated private Yeshivas and the other one third, who are mostly children of color, attend public schools controlled by a school board dominated by Orthodox Jewish men.

There are also great opportunities for data-based reporting.

Some collaboration will be expected with our New York and USA TODAY NETWORK Atlantic Region teams on education reporting.

If you value, as we do, making journalism more diverse, equitable and inclusive, and are passionate, as we are, about flexing your reporting and writing muscles through riveting storytelling, this is a role for you.

HIGHLIGHTS:

The ideal candidate will:

• Create regular content about education (articles, social media post, videos, photos) that accurately informs and engages our audiences.

• Own the story of education in the aftermath of COVID-19, including how schools will assess and address learning gaps, integrate best practices from remote learning and cope with children and adolescents who are struggling with emotional and mental fallout.

• Give special focus to the impact of disrupted learning on members of marginalized communities, relying on interviews with community members, records searches and discussions with experts.

• Provide thoughtful, clear, engaging analysis of complex issues, particularly testing, teacher evaluation and the financial streams of school funding. Balance daily stories, enterprise stories that demonstrate regional education trends, and longer-term watchdog projects on subjects of particular interest to our audiences.

• Plan and execute engagement opportunities with our key audiences through social media, participation in community events, creating and appearing in video panels, and more. Connect with parents, taxpayers, educators and students when appropriate to establish expertise on education and our key role in delivering education content.

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.
• Proven experience with content management systems and social media channels.
• Good time management and organizational skills.
• Solid news judgment.
• Understanding of metrics, social media and SEO.
• Self-motivation and self-direction, including the ability to report and respond to breaking news.
• Top-notch planning, organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to multi-task and excel under intense deadline pressure in a rapidly changing environment.
• Energetic self-starter and a fast thinker who can spot stories that matter.
• 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 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.

This role requires a valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and the minimum liability insurance required by state law.

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The annual rate for this role will range $58,000 - $65,000. 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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