Local Government Reporter

The Gainesville Sun seeks an enterprising reporter to cover local government, with an emphasis on accountability; the environment; and social justice issues, including homelessness. This reporter should be committed to demanding government transparency and accountability, exploring the local community, and telling stories that enhance readers' knowledge of the community in which they live. While based in Gainesville, this reporter should expect to spend significant time throughout Alachua County and to work closely with other Gannett Florida journalists in the region and beyond. Our target audience, increasingly diverse, benefits from relevant and compelling reporting. Being inclusive in our sourcing and in our consideration of the impact of government activity is a vital part of this reporter's mission.

Job Details:

• This reporter focuses on local government, the environment and social justice issues, including homelessness. Stories should explore how local government shapes and changes communities and lives, including but not limited to matters of public health, public safety, good governance, public spending and taxes and economic-development strategies and investment. Such reporting empowers residents to navigate their lives and to raise questions about the effectiveness of their leaders.
• This reporter will be committed to increasing the Sun's reach in under-served 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.

Typical Job Duties:

• Researches, reports, writes, and helps create compelling text and multimedia journalism.
• Provides thoughtful analysis of complex issues that answers the "how" and "why" questions regarding government actions and their impact.
• Pays special attention to the issues and trending topics impacting diverse segments of Alachua County's population. Displays cultural competency in navigating coverage.
• Works with Gannett Florida editors to shape storytelling to meet audience needs and interests on every platform.
• Develops relationships with sources including diverse officials, residents and experts, to provide unique insight into the impact of government decisions and actions on readers and communities.
• 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 digital producers to provide all the appropriate elements for stories (ie: photos, videos and graphics). Captures basic photos and video as needed.
• Uses independent judgment in day-to-day activities; demonstrated success in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions.
• Normally receives instructions on routine work, detailed instruction on new projects and assignments.
• Researches, reports and writes news articles for publication.
• Recognizes newsworthy events and trends and understands how to connect with our audience on multiple platforms.
• 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.
• Has developed enough topical knowledge to provide thoughtful analysis of complex issues. Understands good storytelling and successfully develops ideas.
• Can write news stories and more complex enterprise pieces with minimal guidance.
• Can execute on special projects by working closely with editors.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Social media skills and some video production knowledge required.
• Data reporting knowledge and experience helpful. Database skills/Microsoft Excel skills preferred. (Data training will be part of successful candidate's onboarding steps.)
• Strong core journalism skills, particularly reporting and writing.
• Deep understanding of the questions the audience seeks answered in our journalism.
• Self-motivation and self-direction.
• Effective communicator; able to get along with diverse personalities.
• Able to multi-task and excel under deadline pressure in a rapidly changing environment.
• Knows how to use time effectively.
• Works collaboratively within a cross-functional environment.
• Must embrace peer-to-peer feedback and training.
• Applies innovative, creative thinking to support the company's goals.
• Writing, spelling, grammar, AP and local style.

Recommended Work Experience, Training, and Education:

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications or related field.
• Reporting experience, which could include freelancing, internships and college publication work.

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:

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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