Breaking/Trending News Reporter I

The Burlington Free Press , a digital-first newsroom and a part of the USA TODAY NETWORK , seeks an experienced, aggressive, curious , versatile reporter to cover breaking / trending news in the Burlington area and beyond.

The reporter will spot rising trending topics in the B urlingt o n area in the morning and quickly create high - interest stories to reach new audiences and encourage loyal readers to subscribe. We are looking for someone who understands, or is eager to learn , what Burlington area residents care about and how statewide and national issues impact people in Burlington .

This reporter will chase stories across a broad range of topics, including news, politics, business and entertainment. Th e right candidate will be skilled at identifying stories through social media and Google Trends, as well as a deep understanding of audience metrics and SEO techniques . A candidate must have quick, tight, lively writing; and a competitive mindset determined to see one's work at the top of our pageview charts each day.

Doing the job well requires more than curation. This reporter is expected to add smart context and do some original reporting - answering the questions on readers' minds in a clear, concise and compelling way. The ideal candidate will be comfortable pursuing stories on their own, but also open to executing ideas from others in the newsroom.

Our target audiences, increasingly diverse, benefit from relevant and compelling reporting. Being inclusive in our sourcing and in our consideration of the impact of stories on our community is a vital part of this reporter's mission.

This position is based out of the Free Press newsroom in Williston, Vt. Located on the scenic shores of Lake Champlain, Burlington is the economic and cultural center of Vermont. The state's largest city is home to several colleges, including the University of Vermont, UVM Medical Center, the state's largest employer, as well as tech companies such as chip fabricator Global Foundries and electric aircraft start-up Beta Technologies. The Burlington area boasts a robust arts and music scene. It is home to nationally recognized restaurants and craft breweries. Home to a quarter of the state's population, Burlington, and Chittenden County, often drives the agenda in the Statehouse.

Burlington is the closest thing we have to an urban center in a vastly rural state, where Vermonters are likely to see many of the issues confronting larger cities across the country - think homelessness, the latest manifestation of the drug-use crisis, and crime.

Job Details:

• Research, report and produce accurate , compelling content that informs and engages readers.
• Be a curious, assertive, and self-starting journalist who jumps to report on breaking news and trending topics with urgency.
• Capitalize on live, breaking and trending moments by creating quick-turn-around content for social media and other digital platforms
• Use sites such as Google Trends, Data Miner and other search tools to mine story ideas from social media and news organizations.
• Be proficient on the latest social media tools and trends, specifically on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram
• Seek out compelling photos, graphics and video and secure permission to use them.
• Produce content in alternative forms (listicles, Q&As, narratives, photo galleries, video - that are tailored to the right platform (mobile, desktop, social media) to best reach the target audience.
• Optimize , aggregate and package content for digital publication. Enhance content with video, galleries, SEO meta-data, hyperlinks and images
• Use real-time metrics to respond to user demand and reader interest.
• Work collaboratively as part of a team with other reporters and editors. Occasionally, fill in on other beats to assist in coverage of breaking news and other events
• This reporter will be committed to increasing the Free Press' reach in underserved communities through relationship-building and different delivery methods for our content. Becoming more trusted and more reflective of the affected communities through inclusion of neighborhood voices and through authenticity in storytelling is a crucial aspect of this coverage.
• This job generates the content the organization needs to build digital readership and subscriptions and to be perceived as a reliable and relevant source of reporting on the impact of state government reporting.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's or master's in communications, journalism or an equivalent combination of education and experience .
• 3 or more years of professional journalism experience or significant internship experience, preferred .
• High-level writing, communication and time management skills .
• Demonstrated ability to work well on deadline .
• Ability to produce content that is clean, accurate and publication rea dy
• Understanding of reporting ethics and sourcing .
• This role requires a valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and the minimum liability insurance required by state law.

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 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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