Breaking News Reporter

The Greenville News/greenvilleonline.com, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK is seeking a a reporter to cover breaking news, public safety and the court systems - key topics for a newsroom that serves readers in South Carolina’s largest county.

This reporter would provide readers with initial reports and updates on quick-hitting stories related to crime, courts, weather, construction, traffic concerns and all topics related to public safety in Greenville County. This reporter would also boost our coverage on the ground during contentious Upstate SC political rallies and protests.

This reporter would join our public safety team and play a crucial role in our accountability and FOIA-based journalism.

The beat will be most active during the day, but might require some evening or weekend shifts as schedules dictate.

This reporter will chase local news, as well as features that look at the impacts of crime and how communities are working to change them in Greenville County and Upstate SC. This would include breaking news coverage, public safety news and quick-turn enterprise.

This reporter works with a Greenville-based editor and reporters in Greenville, Spartanburg and Anderson counties to plan and deliver content for readers most likely to find our work on mobile devices and through social media shares or Google searches.

An ideal candidate is someone capable of quickly establishing their voice and building a loyal following on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter/X.

Key considerations

This reporter will serve as a watchdog of Upstate SC law enforcement and the court systems.
Expected to write both quick-turn stories on breaking news of the day as well as more in-depth enterprise stories and longer-term investigations.
Work with a content coach and digital partners to evaluate what's working and what's not and develop ongoing plans to better satisfy audience needs.
Collaborate with photographers to provide all appropriate elements for stories. Capture basic photos and video as needed.
Equity and inclusion are central to our reporting.
All of our reporters handle occasional general assignments and breaking news.
We expect anyone who works with us to be constantly improving their skills. We offer a robust Gannett-wide training program.

We’re a newsroom that values excellence in journalism and work-life balance. And Greenville is a great place to find that balance. Upstate South Carolina is halfway between Atlanta and Charlotte. We’re three hours from the beach, less than an hour from the mountains. As the anchor of one of South Carolina’s largest and fastest growing metropolitan areas, Greenville offers a vibrant nightlife, a nationally recognized food scene and one of the most envied downtowns in the region.

Requirements

College degree in communications, journalism or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Strong communication skills, news judgment and headline-writing ability.
Proficiency on social media platforms; including but not limited to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Reddit and experience engaging readers in this public space.
Energetic self-starter and a fast thinker who can spot stories that matter.
Experience shooting and editing photos and video on an iPhone.
Ability to multitask and excel in a fast-paced environment under deadline pressure.
Ability to work collaboratively and efficiently with a team of journalists.
Strong writing, spelling and grammar skills and knowledge of AP style.
This role requires a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and the minimum liability insurance required by state law.
Pre-employment background check and urinalysis drug screen required.

Role

When you apply, let us know how you fit this role and show us what you’ve done. To do so, put together a single document file that includes:

Your resume – one to two pages.
A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job.
Links to three to six online samples of your work. Show us what you’ve produced or helped produce 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.