Job Details

The Record Searchlight / redding.com , part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, is searching for an aggressive, digital-savvy part time reporter to cover Redding and Shasta County government, with an emphasis on service journalism and breaking and trending news.

This position demands strong news judgment and the ability to find and identify stories and trends that are immediate, important and influential.

Our selected candidate produces smart, context-filled stories and quick-turn enterprise on tight deadlines while also pursuing meaningful reporting that drives digital subscriptions. You'll spend a typical work day doing everything from source work to community gatherings to stories that bubble up in the community online and offline to reach and engage our audience.

Experience with public records requests and databases and deciphering agendas, maps, site plans and contracts is desired. This role will fit your style if you're the kind of journalist who's always thinking of the next story - who has a pipeline of ideas and is eager to collaborate on sharpening and pursuing them.

Hourly rate is $21.63 and you will work up to 24 hours per week.

Responsibilities:

• Researches, reports, writes, and helps create compelling text and multimedia journalism about what matters to the community you cover.
• Recognizes newsworthy events and trends and understands how to connect with our audience on multiple platforms.
• Works with editors to shape storytelling to meet audience needs and interests on every platform.
• Develops relationships with diverse sources including officials, residents and experts, to provide unique insights.
• Makes it a mission to inform and engage readers through immediacy, enterprise reporting and riveting storytelling.
• Acts as a public ambassador through social media, video presentations and some community outreach.
• Collaborates with editors and audience team members to provide appropriate elements for stories (i.e.: photos, videos and graphics). Captures photos and videos as needed.
• Uses independent judgment in day-to-day activities; has demonstrated success in problem-solving.
• Understands the standards and ethics around newsgathering and can execute most of its primary forms at a commendable level, including source interviews, use of public records, data analysis and primary and secondary source research.
• Understands good storytelling and successfully develops ideas.
• Can write news stories with minimal guidance.
• Can execute special projects by working closely with editors.
• Provides great customer service, helping readers find answers and solutions.
• Travels quickly to wherever the news occurs or is being disseminated.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in communication, journalism, or equivalent in experience and education.
• 1-5 years journalism experience preferred, although entry-level candidates with strong intern experience are urged to apply.
• Core journalism skills (reporter, producing, editing).
• Understanding of social media and how to engage audiences on digital platforms in public space.
• Basic photo and video skills.
• Knowledge of data-based reporting and use of spreadsheets such as Excel is a plus.
• Effective communicator; able to get along with diverse personalities.
• Able to multi-task and excel under deadline pressure in a rapidly changing environment.
• Expertise in writing, spelling and grammar.
• Familiarity with USA TODAY Network Style Guide.
• Flexibility to work some evenings and weekends.
• This role requires a valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and the minimum liability insurance required by state law.

About Redding

Redding is the county seat of Shasta County, California, in the northern part of the state. It lies along the Sacramento River, 162 miles north of Sacramento, and 120 miles south of California's northern border, shared with the state of Oregon. Interstate 5 bisects the entire city, from the south to north before it approaches Shasta Lake, which is located 15 miles to the north. Redding is the largest city in the Shasta Cascade region, and it is the sixth-largest city in the Sacramento Valley, behind Sacramento, Elk Grove, Roseville, Vacaville and Chico.

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:

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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