Service Journalism and Trending Reporter

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The USA TODAY Network is looking for a Tennessee Connect reporter to join our service journalism and trending Connect team. This reporter will provide timely and audience-focused coverage in Nashville and across the state.
We are looking for a reporter who is quick and flexible — full of topic-focused story ideas, who can urgently pursue them and write them at volume in varied formats. This reporter should be deeply curious, highly competitive and possess the desire to inform digital audiences. The reporter should be comfortable working with local and national editors and reporters across the USA TODAY Network, and able to seamlessly move between topics. We start with the headline, so great digital headline-writing skills are a must.
The reporter will work alongside our USA TODAY Network sites or the network Connect editors and content strategists to cover high-interest stories, help swarm breaking news and plan for major events.
This reporter should be comfortable interacting with and listening to social media and other digital communities, and being comfortable on camera is a plus. They will use data and analytics, and Google Trends and other SEO tools to inform their story choices and presentation on and off our platforms. This reporter must love telling stories quickly when needed, in-depth when called for, and always with accuracy. Living in or recently have lived in Nashville or having familiarity with the state and interests of communities is a plus.
The typical shift will start early, but must be flexible for what the topic needs, meaning nights and/or weekends may also be required. The position can be hybrid, with opportunity to work out of Nashville’s newsroom. It can also be remote, depending on the location of the successful candidate.
Responsibilities:
● Monitor emails, social media, community groups and other sources to find stories.
● Monitor developing stories across news, social and other media platforms for key topics important to Missourians
● Efficiently and accurately write stories, several per day.
● Find, pitch and swiftly produce stories on topics of emerging interest, with a focus on what readers want and need to know.
● Ensure content is properly optimized for competitive search ranking and best practices for user experience.
Requirements:
● Bachelor’s or master’s degree in journalism or related field
● Expert at using social media platforms; including but not limited to Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, Reddit and Bluesky.
● Command of concise writing, spelling, grammar, and AP style.
● Good fact-checking and reporting skills.
● Well-organized, detail-oriented and flexible.
● Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
● Facility with AI and automation and experience in using it to enhance their journalism.

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 appl