Public Safety Reporter

The Visalia Times-Delta/VisaliaTimesDelta.com, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, is looking for a thoughtful and community-minded reporter who wants to help reimagine the public safety beat in a digital-first environment. Breaking news, crime and courts will be part of the mix, sure. But the way we cover policing, criminal justice and our community must change, to hold law enforcement and other government agencies accountable, seek a more nuanced representation of the challenges the Valley faces and rebuild trust within communities. You'll need to dig deeper and seek a wider perspective, cultivate diverse sources and devote resources to debunking myths and stereotypes. You'll write about serious crime, breaking news, trends and spotlight social issues, while being sensitive to how our stories affect the various people and neighborhoods we cover.

An ideal candidate will be conscientious and collaborative, skeptical and comfortable with conflicting views. Flexibility is key, as are compassion and creativity: You'll cover a protest one day, interview a victim's family the next, and end the week crunching crime statistics and exploring other criminal justice trends. You're comfortable breaking a story online, adding additional nuance and facts in real time to lead the conversations in our communities. 

Metrics and audience research will help guide decisions about how to cover topics and issues as you engage with readers on a variety of platforms to drive audience and subscriber growth. And the beat will evolve as you share best practices with network colleagues around the country. This reporter is also expected to have the range to handle breaking news, as well as general assignment and in-depth, data-driven reporting. Ability to produce content that is clean, accurate and publication ready. 

Responsibilities:

• Provides thoughtful analysis of complex issues.
• Promote personal brand, the brands of colleagues and the institutional brand.
• Use metrics to inform story choices and shape beat strategies.
• Identifies top news stories of the day, based on analytics and audience potential. 
• Cultivates a beat, knowing the ins/outs of the beat and its key players. Has a genuine interest in people and ability to build trust. 

Requirements:

• Bachelor's in communications, journalism or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 1 or more years of professional journalism experience or significant internship experience, preferred.
• High-level writing, communication and time management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work well on deadline.
• Ability to produce content that is clean, accurate and publication ready.
• Understanding of reporting ethics and sourcing.
• This role requires a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and the minimum liability insurance required by state law.
• Employment is contingent on passing a pre-employment, post-offer background check, drug screen and motor vehicle record check.

Applications Instructions

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:

1.    Your resume – one to two pages.
2.    A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job.
3.    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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The hourly rate for this role will range between $14.91 and $29.30.  Variable compensation is not reflected in these figures and based on the role, may be applicable. Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, location, and union representation, if applicable. ​