Augusta Sports Reporter

The Augusta Chronicle, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, is looking for a self-starter to cover sports in the second-biggest metro market in Georgia.

With more than 20 key high schools, there are plenty of opportunities to tell the stories of athletes competing within the Central Savannah River Area. Augusta has a diverse sports community and is one of the top high school basketball hotbeds in the Southeast. Augusta is home to the Masters Tournament, the most prestigious men's golf tournament in the world, and will work with the USA TODAY Network's collaborative effort around the tournament. You'll also be reporting from the Nike EYBL Peach Jam, the gem of the boys summer travel basketball circuit.

We want someone who is ambitious. We want someone who will own the beat by writing with voice and authority -- both in stories and on social media. We want someone who's interested in experimenting with different media and formats.

This reporter will be comfortable using metrics to understand the kinds of enterprise and watchdog stories our readers want and will have the reporting and writing chops to deliver. They will enjoy building relationships with players, coaches, parents and fans, and will tap into those sources to break news and find compelling human-interest stories.

Living in Augusta, you're150 miles from Atlanta and the same distance from Savannah and Georgia's barrier islands. Athens and the University of Georgia are90 miles away, and a bit further north rests Georgia's mountain region, which makes up the base of the Appalachian Trail.

Responsibilities:

• Create storytelling that accurately informs, entertains and engages specific audiences and platforms through the use of metrics.
• Work toward becoming the community's leading voice of expertise in high school sports.
• Connect with the community through storytelling and outreach (social media, on camera, forums, community leadership, etc.). Provide thoughtful analysis of complex issues.
• Work with editor and content strategist to evaluate what's working and what's not and develop ongoing plans to satisfy audience needs.
• Collaborate to provide appropriate elements for stories (i.e. photos, videos and graphics). Capture basic photos and video as needed.
• Promote personal brand, the brands of colleagues and the institutional brand.
• Provide great customer service, helping readers find answers and solutions.

Requirements:

• A valid driver's license, reliable transportation and the minimum liability insurance required by state law.
• Bachelor's or master's degree in communications, journalism or related field preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Previous reporting experience preferred; even better if you've covered sports.
• Proficiency on social media platforms; including but not limited to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Reddit.
• Experience shooting and editing photos and video on a mobile device.
• Strong communication skills, news judgement and headline-writing ability.
• Ability to multitask and excel under intense deadline pressure.
• Ability to work collaboratively and efficiently.
• Strong writing, spelling and grammar skills; familiarity with AP style.
• Ability to work some nights and weekends.
• Comfort building a beat and communicating with athletes and coaches.

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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