Company Profile

Company Description:

Staff Writer

Usually 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday, with occasional nights and weekends as needed. Occasional holiday shifts are required.

Base Weekly Wage:  $750-$960

Other Compensation:  n/a

Description:  The Virginian-Pilot is looking for a city hall reporter in its Norfolk office.

Our city hall reporters are routinely at the wheel for our biggest stories. We expect this person to uncover and write stories about the people who run this city and those who are affected by their decisions. This reporter will break news and write enterprise pieces, profiles and database stories. Good sourcing and perseverance will be essential, as will the ability to write compelling accounts of Norfolk's people, businesses and neighborhoods – and to track how taxpayers' dollars are spent.

The Pilot is a digitally oriented newsroom with an emphasis on building audiences. Strong social media skills are a must. Video skills and the ability to read and interpret data are big pluses.

Essential Functions:

• Writes compellingly, precisely and accurately.
• Meets deadlines.
• Produces a regular mix of stories, including breaking news, enterprise and alternative story forms.
• Understands the need to engage news audiences through multimedia reporting as well as social media.
• Writes in-depth explanatory and investigative articles that can involve computer-assisted reporting and Freedom of Information requests.
• Develops strong sources in government, community groups, neighborhoods and the development business. Is willing to engage the community directly through social media and face-to-face encounters.
• Collaborates with other staff members, especially digital producers, videographers, the social media editor and photographers.

Accountability:

• Performance will be evaluated periodically.

Expected Behaviors:

• Produce quality work on a regular basis.
• Professional conduct at the office and with sources.
• Ethical conduct, as outlined in the newsroom’s policy.

Measurable Results

• Quality, quantity and impact of stories as well as audience growth.

Key Relationships:

• Team leader
• Senior editor
• Urban team members
• Digital team
• Photographers and videographers

Minimum Qualifications:

• Track record of urgency in reporting and writing and uncompromising accuracy.
• Proven record of beat development and ability to manage time.
• Strong interest in public affairs reporting.
• Precision and clarity in writing, with ability to present complicated information in a way that engages readers.
• Ability to use social media to engage audiences.
• Proven ability to work well in a team setting. This reporter will deal on a regular basis with a large number of people, both in-house and from the outside.
• Ability to use data analysis tools to detect important patterns and trends in public records and to file FOIA requests.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Four years of reporting experience at a daily newspaper, including one year experience in public affairs reporting.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Five years of reporting experience at a daily newspaper, including two years experience in public affairs reporting.