High School Sports Reporter

The Leaf Chronicle, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, seeks a high-energy writer who can own high school sports in Clarksville, Tennessee. We are seeking a dynamic reporter who is digitally savvy and committed to leading the conversation in a competitive market. The ideal candidate will use reporting skills to find and tell compelling human-interest stories and identify interesting trends for enterprise stories that go beyond what happened in the game. This position requires multimedia skills and the ability to engage audiences on social media. The reporter must be SEO savvy, can spot high-interest topics using engagement tools like Google Trends and can work independently but also thrive in collaborative environments.

The reporter will need to be proficient in shooting vertical video for game highlights and work closely, and collaboratively with the Tennessee high school sports staff across the state. Aggressive pursuit of breaking news in the high school sports world will be a focus, like coaching changes and high school athletes' college commitments/signings. Writing on potential trending news will be an important component. Developing relationships with schools, administrators, and coaches will be crucial in this position.

Responsibilities:

• Fundamental understanding of how to grow subscriptions through topics, timeliness and storytelling.
• Commitment to becoming the leading voice in area of expertise.
• Connect with the community through storytelling and outreach (social media, on camera, etc.)
• Provide thoughtful analysis of complex issues.
• Works with region sports director and deputy region sports directors to evaluate what's working use metrics to develop ongoing plans to better satisfy audience needs.
• Collaborates with content team to provide all appropriate elements for stories (i.e. photos, videos and graphics).
• Captures basic photos and video as needed.
• Promotes personal brand, the brands of colleagues and the institutional brand.
• Provides great customer service, helping readers find answers and solutions.

• Bachelor's or master's degree in communications, journalism or related field preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• College or other high-level sports beat experience preferred; strong digital skills required.
• Ability to develop strong sourcing and produce content that takes advantage of all formats available to us, including social media, mobile, desktop, video, television and print.
• Proficiency on social media platforms, including but not limited to Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
• Experience shooting and editing photos and video on an iPhone.
• 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 some 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.

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:

1. Your resume - one to two pages.
2. A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job.
3. 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.

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