Higher Education Reporter

The Advocate is looking for an experienced reporter to cover higher education in the Baton Rouge area for Louisiana’s largest news organization. We’re looking for someone who can mix daily stories with incisive enterprise pieces in a competitive news market. Baton Rouge’s two major colleges, Louisiana State University and Southern University, and several other institutions of higher learning generate stories on topics ranging from academic policies and politics to research and student life on campus.

Job Responsibilities

• Develop story ideas based on beat reporting or as assigned

• Create relationships with people in the community to develop credible sources for future stories

• Quickly post stories online as appropriate and develop them further as needed

• Use social media tools to develop, distribute and enhance stories

• Help plan and execute the presentation of stories in a way that maximizes digital impact

• Regularly review metrics on story performance and develop story ideas based on top-performing content

• Meet all deadlines for projects as requested by editors

• Write stories using proper grammar and following AP style guidelines

• Rework pieces as requested by editors and update pieces as needed for ongoing or developing stories

Job Skills & Qualifications Required:

• A focus on producing accurate and factual stories

• Experience as a reporter

• Knowledge of social media, with a desire to break news and find the most unique story angles on the beat

• Proficiency with computers and other office equipment