City government / public safety reporter

The Star News/Star NewsOnline.com, part of Gannett and the USA TODAY Network, is looking for a reporter to cover the city of Wilmington, NC, and regional public safety.

The reporter is expected to track new major commercial/housing developments, investigate the companies behind major commercial expansions, and cover real estate market trends. The position also involves some coverage of city government issues and elections. This reporter will provide explanatory, enterprise and investigative reporting on the city of Wilmington. Daily beat coverage, profiles, photos and video are all part of the job.

In addition, this reporter will cover regional public safety breaking news while digging deeper to get at the story behind first-day coverage. We strive to provide public safety and crime reporting that is fair, solution-based and focused on accountability. We want a reporter who will listen to, engage with and respond to those often underserved and statistically misrepresented in crime and courts coverage.

One of the top 10 largest municipalities in North Carolina, Wilmington is home to a diverse community that includes young professionals, middle-aged families and an older retiree population. Brunswick County sits to the south of Wilmington and north of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Wilmington's downtown offers an eclectic blend of historic charm and modern appeal that includes being home to the World War II Battleship North Carolina and Victorian-era architecture as part of the 230-block National Register Historic District.

Near the Cape Fear River and the Riverwalk that overlooks it are locally owned restaurants, galleries and shops that offer a vibrant nightlife through live music, bars and theater productions. Wilmington is noted for having a variety of places to live, from historic homes to modern apartments situated all over the city.

Responsibilities:

• Create storytelling that accurately informs, entertains and engages specific audiences and platforms through the use of metrics.
• Work toward becoming the community's leading voice in area of expertise.
• Connect with the community through storytelling.
• Provide thoughtful analysis of complex issues.
• Work with your editor and digital partners to evaluate what's working and what's not and develop ongoing plans to better satisfy audience needs.
• Collaborate with photographer to provide all appropriate elements for stories. Capture basic photos and video as needed.
• Promote your personal brand, the brands of colleagues and the institutional brand.
• Provide great customer service, helping readers find answers and solutions.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's or master's degree in communications, journalism or related field preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Previous reporting experience, which could include freelancing, internships and college publication work.
• Strong command of grammar and style.
• Strong copy-editing skills and the ability to produce content that is clean, accurate and "publication ready."
• Passion for news and content that will work well with audiences on social platforms.
• Comfortable in fluid, fast-breaking, stressful situations.
• Willingness to grow and develop a key beat in our newsroom.
• Comfort using social media to enhance reporting and promote stories.
• Understanding of reporting ethics and sourcing.
• Excel in a fast-paced news environment and understands the digital first mission.
• Collaborate well with others and can work with a team on the biggest stories.

This role requires a valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and the minimum liability insurance required by state law.

How To Apply:

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:

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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