Public Safety Reporter

About the role

We are seeking a reporter who understands the importance of meaningful public safety reporting. This role focuses on connecting with our audience's passions and providing solutions to public safety issues in East Tennessee.

Responsibilities

• Create storytelling that accurately informs, engages, and enlightens our audience.
• Explore and report on public safety in East Tennessee with a focus on connecting with our audience’s passions.
• Work toward becoming the community’s leading voice on public safety with a focus on bringing solutions in front of readers.
• Demonstrate clear, concise writing skills and an emphasis on why this is important to me.
• Understand that people love to read about where they’re from and what they need to feel secure in their community.
• Work with our content strategist and audience analyst to evaluate what's working and what's not and develop ongoing plans to better satisfy audience needs.
• Collaborate with our content team to provide all 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

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in experience and education.
• Record of excellence in reporting.
• Strong news judgment.
• Outstanding research skills and ability to build extensive contacts.
• Ability to create trust within your niche community.
• Knowledge of AP style.
• SEO proficiency.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Passion about news and content that will work well with audiences on social platforms.
• Expertise using social media such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat to enhance reporting and promote stories.
• Deep knowledge of and respect for reporting ethics and sourcing.
• Ability to collaborate well with others and to work within geographically separated teams on the biggest stories.
• Willing to travel on short notice to cover breaking news events.
• Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and the minimum liability insurance required by state law.

Qualifications

Our ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of public safety issues and the ability to connect with the community. They should be able to work independently and collaboratively, and possess excellent communication and research skills.