Trending Politics Reporter
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/jsonline.com, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, is seekinga reporter to join our Breaking-Trending team, focusing on trending politics and government.
The reporter will cover the latest breaking and trending stories from election campaigns, state and local government and beyond. They will work to identify viral political moments and explain to readers how the inner workings of the state and local government impact the lives of people living in Wisconsin. The reporter will be an anchor on our PolitiFact Wisconsin team, contributing regular fact-checks and other pieces that explain key issues, debunk false narratives and otherwise help voters understand the reality behind the rhetoric.
The trending politics reporter will work closely with our state and local politics team to respond to breaking news, cover live events and plan for elections and coverage of the DNC and RNC in 2024. The reporter will work in multiple formats, including video, and should be adept at responding to trends on social media and search. This reporter will be part of our team with aggressive goals to grow our audience reach.
The candidate should be able to write quickly and accurately. Some general breaking news coverage also will be required.
Responsibilities:
Monitor emails, social media, community groups, search trends and other sources around politics.
Communicate across departments.
Efficiently and accurately write stories, sometimes more than one a day.
Find, pitch and swiftly produce stories on topics of emerging interest, with a focus on what readers want and need to know.
Ensure content is properly optimized with conversational headlines, SEO, links, video and photo galleries.
The typical work week could include regular weekend coverage.
Requirements:
Bachelor's or master’s degree in communications, journalism, marketing or related field preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Work samples that demonstrate storytelling techniques on multiple platforms.
Proven experience producing accurate reports under deadline pressure, in a style that resonates with mobile and social audiences.
Proficiency on social media platforms including, but not limited to, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Reddit.
Effective communicator; able to get along with diverse personalities.
Strong news judgement and ability to multitask.
Strong writing, spelling and grammar skills; familiarity with AP style.
This role requires a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and the minimum liability insurance required by state law.
Employment is contingent on passing a post-offer pre-employment background check, motor vehicle record check and drug screen.
Application Instructions:
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.