Government Reporter

Full-time government and politics reporter who main function is to explain the issues that will affect readers’ lives and the forces that determine those issues. Will serve as the newsroom’s lead reporter during election season and be responsible for a variety of assignments. Will cover government bodies at the state, county and city level. Must be a leading contributor to Greensboro.com with articles, blogs, video and other visuals; be a staff leader in the use of social media and digital tools; and write hard news, investigative stories, analyses, features and commentary. Will be required to appear on camera for video and live interviews.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Write breaking news, analysis and enterprise stories with equal ease and distinction.

• Work on a variety of stories at once and juggle assignments of various complexities.

• Travel to Raleigh routinely to attend governmental and political events and monitor legislative activities remotely as necessary.

• Increase our online presence by posting content to www.greensboro.com, by using social media such as Facebook and Twitter and by maintaining a blog.

• Be able to assemble, analyze and report from various databases, including voter registration, campaign contributions and other financial topics.

• Write with authority, insight and perspective.

• Work efficiently and productively, producing content in a timely fashion for peak digital audience.

• Easily generate story ideas.

• Work successfully in a team environment.

• Work a flexible schedule that will include night and weekend assignments.

• On-site, regular and reliable attendance is required.

NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Excellent writing and reporting skills and command of grammar, style and syntax.

• Multimedia reporting skills that enable recording information through video, audio and still photographs on cellular telephones and other devices.

• A command of government structure and legislative procedure and confirmed neutrality in political issues.

• Strong organizational skills.

• High attention to accuracy and detail.

• An understanding of how best to use social media (including Facebook and Twitter) to deliver news, broaden a subscriber’s experience and build brand.

• The ability to appear on camera as either an interviewer or interviewee, including in live TV or radio interviews about his or her reporting.

• Typing, computer and Internet skills.

• Must have a valid driver’s license and dependable transportation and be able to both stand and sit for extended periods while executing the job.

• Spanish proficiency a plus.

• Copy editing, design skills and photography skills – including relative software – are plusses.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent related experience.

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience as a reporter.

• 1-2 years of reporting on some level of government and/or political assignments.

• Experience covering courts is a plus.