The Post and Courier, South Carolina's statewide leader in award-winning news coverage, is seeking an energetic reporter to cover Florence, Florence County and the surrounding areas of the Pee Dee region of South Carolina. We are looking for a journalist who will embrace our approach to insightful, enterprising coverage.
This position is based in Florence, South Carolina, and reports to the local editor there.
Along with reporting breaking news and enterprise pieces, this journalist will also seek to tell stories in other ways, including short-form, vertical video. As readers increasingly consume video for news and information, our reporters aim to expand our digital presence with mobile-first storytelling.
We value a narrative storytelling approach to in-depth reporting. You'll get a chance to grow in your craft as a writer and reporter, whether you are a veteran journalist or someone just launching your career.
If you are hired, you will join an ambitious, Pulitzer Prize-winning culture where talented journalists can pursue the best work of their careers, limited only by their ambition and determination.
The Post and Courier is privately held and is investing in its journalism. We began expanding across South Carolina in 2020, seeking to fill a void in news deserts or areas where local news coverage had withered. We now operate Post and Courier newsrooms in multiple cities, including Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, Spartanburg, Beaufort County/Hilton Head, Florence and Myrtle Beach.
We are a passionate, dedicated, digital-driven news organization and seek someone who shares that journalistic passion and commitment to excellence.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Write daily stories that are impactful to the local communities we serve throughout Florence County
- Produce story ideas from the assigned beat or from conversations with sources and other members of the community.
- Become immersed in the public-policy of Florence County and the surrounding areas to craft informative and impactful stories about top issues and personalities.
- Delve into the growing and evolving business communities to report on individuals, organizations and trends that are shaping the area.
- Strategically issue FOIAs to assist in reporting, analyze the results and effectively use these materials in published articles.
- Coordinate your assignments and schedule with editors, keeping them well-informed about developments and potential challenges.
- Effectively use social media to engage the community.
- Develop and maintain photo and digital skills.
- Produce work that is accurate in fact, tone and implication. Understands libel law and the rules governing plagiarism.
- Effectively learn and use all job technology and systems.
- Learn and follow all department and company policies and procedures.
- Meet all assigned deadlines.
- Develop a list of knowledgeable, diverse sources.
QUALIFICATIONS
Requirements, minimum education level, and experience:
- Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications or English preferred
- Experience in AP style writing
- Flexibility to adjust hours to cover breaking news or weekend and evening events
- Valid driver's license, good driving record, reliable and insured vehicle
- Reliable access to internet service
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Strong writing and editing in AP style skills
- Excellent social media skills
- Strong written and oral communication and interpersonal skills
- Good customer relation skills with the ability to easily and professionally speak and work with readers and the public daily
- Ability to react quickly to breaking news
- Ability to prioritize workload and self-manage projects, handle multiple tasks and meet strict deadlines
- Knowledge of the community and surrounding cities a plus
- Ability to adapt to a fast-paced ever-evolving industry and workplace
- Strong, professional work ethic
- Ability to work independently remotely, if necessary, in a suitable workspace that meets safety guidelines
Physical Requirements, Work Environment and Travel:
- Regularly required to sit for long periods of time; close eye work on computer screen; required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, bend and stoop; light to moderate lifting 15–30 pounds.
- The worker is frequently subject to inside environmental conditions, which provide protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes, and is sometimes subject to adverse outside environmental conditions.
- Local travel is required.