Statewide Trending Reporter

This role is based in the Salem office of the Statesman Journal/statesmanjournal.com, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK. Salem is located between the Coast and Cascade Mountain ranges in the Mid-Willamette Valley, about one hour south of Portland, one hour north of Eugene, and an hour west of the Oregon Coast.

About the role

We seek a versatile and nimble reporter to cover statewide trending topics in Oregon. The ideal candidate is "extremely online," well-versed in analytics, and skilled at writing for a mobile-first, digital audience. You will produce quick-hit multimedia trending stories that answer Oregonians’ most pressing questions, start conversations, and grow audience engagement through formats like video explainers.

Responsibilities

• Publish two to three stories on trending topics each day.
• Identify trending news to create timely, relevant stories that spark conversation and join existing conversations.
• Monitor social media, Google Trends, and historically popular topics through Parse.ly to determine how best to capture a wide audience.
• Track performance metrics to understand what resonates with our audience and inform future coverage.
• Follow SEO and platform best practices to optimize reach and impact.
• Be flexible and willing to shift priorities quickly as news develops.
• Produce multimedia content, including shooting and editing videos and stills.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with colleagues, sources, and the community.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or master’s in communications, journalism, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• One to two years of experience in journalism with a strong foundation in news writing and reporting.
• Mastery of SEO and social media, including using it to promote your work and interact with readers.
• Self-motivation and self-direction.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Command of media law and principles of ethical conduct.
• Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and the minimum liability insurance required by state law.