Senior AI-assisted Reporter

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Team: Content AI
Location: Remote-friendly (U.S.); preference for candidates in Western Pennsylvania
Schedule: Full-time; flexible hours aligned to news demands
The role
USA TODAY Network is seeking a senior, self-directed reporter to support the launch and scaling of AI-assisted local journalism in a major U.S. metro.
This is not a traditional beat role. You will be responsible for utilizing approved AI tools and workflows to drive local coverage and audience growth. You’ll work with minimal day-to-day supervision and will be expected to identify opportunities, develop them into solutions, and document what works so it can be reused across markets.
Your north star: high-quality local journalism at scale, without sacrificing accuracy, transparency, or trust. At USA TODAY Co., AI always serves journalism – never the other way around.
What you’ll do
Own AI-assisted local production
• Produce and publish fast, accurate local coverage using AI-assisted workflows, including service journalism, events, transportation, weather, public meetings, and structured civic data.
• Independently convert structured inputs (agendas, advisories, datasets, calendars, alerts) into publishable stories and explainers at volume.
• Verify facts, names, locations, and claims; conduct interviews as needed to add context and authority.
Tool and platforms you’ll use
• Newsroom-approved LLMs (CoPilot, Perplexity, etc.)
• Reverse-image search tools such as Google Images and TinEye.
• Mapping/geolocation tools.
• Public-records platforms (state court portals, FOIA systems).
• Data and document tools like Excel/Sheets, Airtable, and PDF extraction tools.
• Verification tools (CrowdTangle, social search).
Deploy and refine AI workflows
• Implement approved AI tools and templates in live newsroom production.
• Customize prompts, inputs, and checks to meet local needs while maintaining editorial standards.
• Identify failure modes, quality gaps, and efficiency bottlenecks; propose and implement improvements.
Operate as a market-level problem solver
• Approach the assignment with a spirit of experimentation and innovation: Identify repeatable coverage gaps that AI-assisted workflows can fill.
• Balance speed and judgment in a competitive, high-demand news environment.
• Escalate editorial, legal, or ethical risks early and clearly.
Document and scale what works
• Create lightweight playbooks, checklists, and examples that allow successful workflows to be reused by other reporters and markets.
• Share lessons learned with editors, Product, and Content AI partners.
• Prioritize reader trust and contribute to the evolution of AI standards, guardrails, and disclosure practices.
What makes you a strong fit
Required
• Demonstrated newsroom experience producing accurate local journalism under deadline pressure.
• Proven ability to work independently, prioritize work, and deploy without close supervision.
• Hands-on experience using AI tools (LLMs or automation) in editorial workflows.
• Strong verification instincts and comfort taking responsibility for published work.
• Comfort working across systems: CMSs, spreadsheets, feeds, and multiple tools at once.
• Clear written and verbal communication with editors and cross-functional partners.
• Familiarity with AI tools and experience w