Full Job Description

The Morning Journal, a subsidiary of MediaNews Group, is seeking a Sports Reporter to join the team! MediaNews Group offers news reporting and third party advertising and marketing opportunities through its multi-platform products which include: web, mobile, tablet, and print. We are one of the largest media groups in the U.S., serving high-value audiences and connecting advertisers to them. MNG publishes award-winning content (49 Pulitzers) that amasses and engages a nationwide audience via 800 multi-media platforms including web, mobile, social, and print. We are transforming the news industry.

Essential Functions

• Cover, photograph, live tweet, and get video at a variety of live sporting events.
• Prepare feature video to accompany feature articles.
• Post/prepare score results for online and print.
• Interview coaches, athletes to enrich content.
• Prepare weekly schedule.
• Construct local roundup/agate.
• Use social media to engage the audience.
• Must be proficient in taking his/her own photos and producing their own videos and must be able to write and edit stories to adhere to a tight deadline.

• Must be able to research and develop stories to the utmost accuracy.
• Beat focuses primarily on high school teams and may include some local college teams as well.
• Send pages on deadline.
• Proofread and edit contributor submissions/press releases.
• Final approval of print pages for the sports section 3x weekly.

Competencies & Skills

• Degree in journalism, communication or equivalent experience.
• Prior sports knowledge is preferred.
• Experience at a daily newspaper or online news outlet.
• Experience with news reporting and writing, shooting video, using social media, creating enterprising content.
• Demonstrated analytical and problem solving skills.
• Strong reporting, writing, organizational and story structure skills.
• Understands imperatives of emerging and existing platforms, including web, mobile and print.
• Beats production deadlines.
• Experiments with new digital tools and platforms.
• Must be flexible to work evenings, weekends and/or holiday’s as well as odd hours if necessary/news requires.
• Must live in area/county or be willing to relocate (no relocation assistance offered).
• Must submit 2-3 writing samples with resume and application.
• Familiarity with Adobe Suite is preferred.
• Multitasking and organizational skills are key.
• Successful candidates must have a solid editing background.
• Travel
• 50%.
• Preferred Education
• Bachelor’s degree in journalism or equivalent experience.

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment and at the Company and client sites for business meetings and presentations. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. Travelling to onsite interviews and events for story coverage is also necessary and can include various environments.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms and requires the ability to occasionally lift office products and supplies up to 30 pounds.

Other Duties

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.