Buncombe County/Education/Social Issues Reporter

The Citizen Times/citizen-times.com, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, is seeking a reporter eager to dig deep into a watchdog reporter role covering Buncombe County - home to Asheville and the largest in Western North Carolina - including the many aspects of the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene, the deadliest natural disaster in WNC history.

The storm, which hit Sept. 27, 2024, caused widespread devastation to Asheville and surrounding mountain communities, with historic-level flooding, home, property and infrastructure damage. It has claimed the lives of more than 100 people, the majority in Buncombe County.

We are seeking a veteran reporter, preferably with knowledge of Western North Carolina, to write impactful, solution-oriented stories that will hold those in power accountable, with an emphasis on the forces in play around Helene. These include but are not limited to the impact on children and education, mental health, housing, food insecurity, loss of jobs; infrastructure and environmental destruction; and blows to our tourism-based economy.

The ideal candidate will have advanced reporting, writing, court document research, datamining and analysis skills. The reporter will be able to write quick turn stories as well as more in-depth enterprise work that seeks to represent the vast array of viewpoints in our communities, especially the underserved and underrepresented.

Asheville is a vibrant city of 95,000 people in the heart of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Buncombe County has a population of about 275,000 with a diverse geography - ranging from urban to rural farmland - as well as a variety in population and economy.

While it has been known for its mountain biking, hiking, fishing, kayaking and outdoor beauty as well as being a top restaurant destination, arts scene and dozens of craft breweries, many of these attributes have been lost or severely impacted by Helene.

Responsibilities:

• Provide thoughtful analysis of complex issues.
• Produce journalism that leads to change.
• Connect with the community through storytelling, social media, public forums and other outreach.
• Routinely incorporate photos, video and graphics into stories.
• Monitor metrics to better engage audiences.
• Work with editors and digital partners to evaluate what's working and what's not and develop ongoing plans to better satisfy audience needs.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's or master's degree in communications, journalism or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least three years of reporting experience in a daily newsroom.
• Strong communication, news judgment and writing skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including empathy and compassion.
• Energetic self-starter and a fast thinker who can spot stories that matter.
• Proficiency on social media platforms.
• Experience shooting and editing photos and video on an iPhone.
• 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.
• Command of media law and principles of ethical conduct.
• 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 document file that includes the following, in this order:

1. Your resume - one to two pages.

2. A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job.

3. 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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