High School Sports Reporter
The Spartanburg Herald-Journal/goupstate.com , part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, is looking for an energetic, enterprising reporter to cover high school sports in this sports-oriented community in Upstate South Carolina.
We’re not looking for run-of-the mill coverage. Our readers already know the score. They want something more meaningful, and we need a reporter who can hunt down those stories.
Game nights are a huge part of the community, and breaking news an enterprise reporting are essential to capture the audience. That means meeting sources, talking with parents and getting the pulse of our community in person and through being highly active on social media.
Recruiting, student-athlete life, coach pay and team travel, among many, are opportunities for this reporter to put into perspective for readers.
Spartanburg is part of the vibrant Upstate, 35 miles northeast of Greenville, S.C., and 70 miles southwest of Charlotte, N.C., along the Interstate 85 corridor. You’re also 45 minutes from the Blue Ridge Mountains and three hours from the Atlantic Coast.
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
Bachelor's or master’s degree in communications, journalism or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Previous reporting experience: even better if you've covered sports.
Proficiency on social media platforms; including but not limited to Facebook, X, 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 nights and weekends.
Comfort building a beat and communicating with athletes and coaches.
This role requires a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation and the minimum liability insurance required by state law.
How To Apply
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.