The Burlington Free Press, a part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, seeks an experienced, nimble, versatile reporter to cover local news with an emphasis on schools and families.
Schools are the centerpiece of the community and divisive politics - from the cultural wars to Title IX concerns to labor debates- even in "liberal" Vermont. We're looking for someone who knows how to build sources to reflect the perspectives of students, parents, teachers, administrators, school board members, and education experts.
The Burlington area is home to Vermont's largest and most diverse K-12 districts as well as the University of Vermont, which means there is a wealth of stories. We are seeking an education reporter who looks inside the classrooms, dives into budget and test scores, reports on culture debates, and examines the town-gown as well as student-administration disagreements at UVM.
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We are seeking a journalist who can write about what's happening in our schools in a way that engages our readers, whether they have children in school or not. We are looking for a reporter who empowers readers as they navigate their lives and questions the effectiveness of how schools are serving their children and communities.
This is not a traditional education beat relying solely on coverage of school board meetings. The successful candidate will be a highly productive reporter who can produce at least a story daily on trending topics or emerging reader questions, as well as compelling feature, enterprise and watchdog stories. Our reporters seek out and represent diverse racial, ethnic, and economic perspectives in their coverage.
The focus of the beat is Chittenden County, with an emphasis on the core communities of Burlington, South Burlington and Winooski. This position is based out of the Free Press newsroom. The ideal candidate will be comfortable pursuing big stories on their own, but also open to executing ideas from others in the newsroom.
Located on the scenic shores of Lake Champlain, Burlington is the economic and cultural center of Vermont. The state's largest city is home to several colleges, including the University of Vermont; UVM Medical Center, the state's largest employer; as well as tech companies such as chip fabricator GlobalFoundries and electric aircraft start-up Beta Technologies. The Burlington area boasts a robust arts and music scene. It is home to nationally recognized restaurants and craft breweries. Home to a quarter of the state's population, Burlington and Chittenden County often drive the agenda in the Statehouse. Vermont's Queen City is very much apart from Vermont, the closest thing we have to an urban center in a vastly rural state, where Vermonters are likely to see many of the issues confronting larger city across the state - think homelessness, the latest manifestation of the drug-use crisis and crime.
Typical Job Duties:
- Researches, reports, writes, and helps create compelling text and multimedia journalism about how what goes on in our schools touch people's lives.
- Provides thoughtful analysis of complex issues that answers the "how" and "why" questions regarding schools and education policy and their impact.
- Pays special attention to the issues and trending topics impacting diverse segments of the area's population. Displays cultural competency in navigating coverage.
- Works with Free Press and other USA Today Network editors in New England and beyond to shape storytelling to meet audience needs and interests on every platform.
- Develops relationships with sources in the Chittenden County education community, as well as relevant state agencies and NGOs, including diverse officials, residents and experts, to provide unique insight into the impact of city government decisions and actions on readers and communities.
- Makes it a mission to inform and engage readers through immediacy, enterprise reporting and riveting storytelling.
- Acts as a public ambassador through social media, video presentations and some community outreach.
- Collaborates with editors and digital producers to provide all the appropriate elements for stories (i.e.: photos, video sand graphics). Captures basic photos and videos as needed.
- Uses independent judgment in day-to-day activities; demonstrated success in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions.
- Normally receives instructions on routine work, detailed instruction on new projects and assignments.
- Recognizes newsworthy events and trends and understands how to connect with our audience on multiple platforms.
- Understands the standards and ethics around newsgathering and can execute most of its primary forms at a commendable level, including source interviews, use of public records, data analysis and primary and secondary source research.
- Has developed enough topical knowledge to provide thoughtful analysis of complex issues. Understands good storytelling and successfully develops ideas.
- Can write news stories and more complex enterprise pieces with minimal guidance.
- Can execute special projects by working closely with editors.
Knowledge and Skills:
- Journalist committed to values of fairness, diversity, equity, inclusion, and professionalism.
- Social media skills and some video production knowledge required.
- Basic photography skills (iPhone) required.
- Data reporting knowledge and experience helpful. Database skills/Microsoft Excel skills preferred. (Data training will be part of successful candidate's onboarding steps.)
- Exceptional core journalism skills, particularly reporting and writing.
- Deep understanding of the questions the audience seeks answers to in our journalism.
- Self-motivation and self-direction.
- Effective communicator; able to get along with diverse personalities.
- Able to multi-task and excel under intense deadline pressure in a rapidly changing environment.
- Knows how to use time effectively in an always-on workday.
- Works collaboratively within a cross-functional environment.
- Must embrace peer-to-peer feedback and training.
- Applies innovative, creative thinking to support the company's goals.
- Driver's license and reliable transportation.
Required Work Experience, Training, and Education:
- Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism or related field, or equivalent combination of experience and education
- 1-3years of reporting experience, which could include freelancing, internships and college publication work.
- Understanding of AP style, reporting ethics and sourcing.
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 file that includes the following, in this order:
- Your resume - one to two pages.
- A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job.
- 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 application receives the highest consideration.
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