Digital Reporter

Job Description

The Digital Reporter should be a skilled writer and natural newshound who can craft engaging stories with click-worthy headlines that grow readership and enhance user experiences on WATE.COM. Using data and analytics tools to interpret audience interest trends, the reporter will pitch original and enterprising stories with high-performance potential on WATE.COM and Nexstar sister station sites. The reporter will have and/or develop a portfolio of trusted local sources to substantiate reporting with balanced commentary and valuable insights. Internet sleuthing and social media are integral to this reporter's workflows for story discovery and content promotion. While the reporter will work largely on written reports from a single space, the ability to take photos and create video is a plus.

Position Responsibilities
• Report news quickly and accurately
• Craft compelling, original content that stands out from competition
• Collaborate with local and regional staff to find unique angles that resonate in the community
• Find ways to share reporting responsibilities across markets and topics as needed
• Understand types of stories that drive traffic to WATE.COM
• Work with management to deliver a content mix that provides value to WATE.COM readers.
• Develop expertise and sources in key audience interest areas
• Use social media for reporting and story promotion

Skill/ Experience Requirements
• 2 years of experience as a news writer, ideally creating web content
• Knowledge of AP style
• Enjoys working in teams and is a strong communicator
• Ability to quickly learn new things and adapt to change
• Thrives under pressure and able to meet deadlines
• Self-motivated and competitive
• Comfortable setting up and executing interviews with local sources
• Ability to be fast and first at breaking news on the web
• Able to deliver multiple stories for the web each day on a wide range of topics
• Familiar with contact information for various agencies to obtain information as quickly as possible.
• Understand social media's importance in reporting stories and delivering traffic
• Some schedule flexibility (nights, weekends)
• Regularly meets measurements of success
• Proficiency in MS Office a must; HTML, CSS and Photoshop experience a plus

Education Requirements
• Bachelor's Degree

Typical day

This reporter will spend time at the start of the shift reviewing story ideas and looking over their own sources for ideas. After coordinating with digital leadership for a list of expected daily stories, the reporter will begin writing and communicating updates. Social media updates, videos and monitoring of breaking news should be incorporated seamlessly into the shift.

Measurements of success
• Deliver stories quickly, accurately, and often
• Provide a central role in story idea discovery and generation for the local and regional team
• Consistently seeks to grow audience to your bylined stories
• KPI: 3-5 stories published daily, +10% PV to byline
• Grow your social media base and regularly promote links to stories

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-gq9bpx-3-140-198-173-42 in your application.