Agriculture & Rural Issues Reporter
Req #23979
Our current portfolio of media assets includes USA TODAY, local media organizations in 46 states in the U.S., and Newsquest, a wholly owned subsidiary operating in the United Kingdom with more than 120 local news media brands. Gannett also owns the digital marketing services companies ReachLocal, Inc., UpCurve, Inc., and WordStream, Inc., which are marketed under the LOCALiQ brand, and runs the largest media-owned events business in the U.S., USA TODAY NETWORK Ventures.
To connect with us, visit www.gannett.com.
Agriculture & Rural Issues Reporter
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/jsonline.com, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin, is looking for a motivated reporter to focus on rural issues and agriculture, improving our coverage by delivering thoughtful and powerful journalism in areas that are often overlooked.
This reporter is a primary contributor to the Wisconsin State Farmer/wisfarmer.com, a longstanding publication with dedicated readers, but the reporter’s work will also appear across our statewide network, including in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Green Bay Press Gazette and Appleton Post-Crescent, among others.
We are looking for someone with a background in and familiarity with agriculture and rural issues, but at the core we are looking for a hard-working reporter with a desire to reach new audiences by finding interesting stories – about individual farmers adapting in the changing economy, the impact of state and federal policies, or other trends and challenges affecting agriculture and the many communities that depend on it. So, if that’s you – please apply, even if you don’t think you check every box.
Responsibilities:
- Tell stories that accurately inform, entertain and engage our rural audience, including farming communities.
- Develop and interview sources in the ag industry, researching data, identifying agricultural trends, writing accurate stories and keeping up to date on legislative issues concerning agriculture.
- Serve as a public ambassador for our brand through community outreach, storytelling and engaging on social media with readers.
- Cultivate a beat and report quickly, clearly and accurately to deliver news via stories, video and social media to reach our audience.
- Have a genuine interest in people and the ability to build trust.
- Experiment with new ways of informing and engaging audiences with alternate storyforms.
- Help the Wisconsin State Farmer become the leading voice in agricultural and rural issues in Wisconsin.
- Fill in for the publication editor on planning, and working with freelancers, when the editor is off.
Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, marketing or related field preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Adept at taking photos and video with a cellphone.
- Strong command of AP grammar and style.
- Ability to effectively work remotely, whether at home or from the field. We provide a laptop.
- Familiarity with AP grammar and style.
- Strong copy-editing skills and the ability to produce content that is clean, accurate and publication ready.
- Passionate and enthusiastic about news and content, especially news affecting farmers and folks who live in rural areas.
- A desire to grow and develop a key beat in our network.
- Understand reporting ethics and sourcing.
- Collaborate well with others.
- 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.
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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Other details
- Job Family Frontline Journalists
- Job Function Consumer
- Pay Type Hourly
- Required Education Equivalent Experience