FEATURES REPORTER

The Telegraph Herald, an employee-owned daily newspaper located in Dubuque, Iowa, seeks a talented features reporter and news clerk to join our team. Be part of a hard-working, vibrant and award-winning newsroom working to produce the best newspaper in the state -- both in print and online -- in addition to producing features for an assortment of magazines and specialty publications.

We are looking for a confident and organized journalist comfortable keeping tabs on the tri-state area’s exciting arts and cultural scene, in addition to tackling topics such as food, health, travel, religion and more. He or she also will contribute to hard news and live coverage. The position will provide an opportunity for a diversity of stories and trend pieces. Primary responsibilities include writing features and news stories, shooting video and using social media to gather information to inform readers.

Additionally, the position will include handling some of the newspaper’s most-read items, such as obituaries, birth announcements and graduation listings. The individual should have exceptional organization and customer service skills.

Prior professional or collegiate media experience is required. Prior experience at a daily newspaper is preferred, but we are willing to consider any talented journalist. New graduates of collegiate journalism programs are encouraged to apply.

Joining our team offers more than just the daily grind of churning out stories. Reporters have an opportunity to tackle Sunday front page centerpieces or larger issues and to craft series pieces, in addition to writing for magazines including Her, BizTimes.biz, Vacationland, Farm Life and more.

Our salaries are very competitive with others in the industry. In addition, our employee-owned paper offers the possibility of raises after one year, and current employees earn shares in the company annually that fully vest after five years, providing another significant financial benefit. Additionally, due to our local ownership, the important decisions about our products are made by people who live and work in our community.

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Supervisory Responsibilities:

• People: None other than self.
• Data: Stories, notes, files, clips, research material, source lists, story assignments.
• Things: Computers, telephones, cell phones, office equipment, supplies.

Overall Responsibilities:
To find and gather information – both words and images (mugs and video) -- for the newspaper’s print and digital platforms. To write news and feature stories.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Monitors events, activities and issues in assigned geographic and subject area(s).
• Suggests content and coverage within assigned areas, coordinates with supervisors and peers.
• Posts content on social media as directed, consistent with policy and content strategy.
• Takes still photos (mostly head-and-shoulders images) and video.
• Writes text for video stories. Records narrative audio, as assigned.
• Develops and maintains ongoing contact with sources in assigned geographical and topical area(s).
• Selects wire or syndicated content (stories, photos, graphics, videos) for presentation in print product(s), digital products and social media.
• Edits and processes staff-created content (stories, photos, graphics, videos) for presentation in print product(s), digital products and social media.
• Edits content for accuracy, completeness, and AP and local style.
• Writes accurate, complete and compelling headlines appropriate for the platform (print, digital, social).
• Designs print-product pages.
• Produces maps, charts and graphics from existing templates, as necessary.
• Meets deadlines.
• Monitors news and issues, from local to international.
• Suggests content and coverage consistent with audience interest and editorial direction.
• Suggests and initiates programs and procedures to enhance products, efficiency and morale.
• Adheres to company and departmental policies.
• Adheres to standard practices and ethical standards of the industry.
• Positive representative of department, company and industry at all times.
• Attends and participates in corporate initiatives such as Great Game of Business, ESOP meetings, etc.
• Provides quality customer service via phone, email and face-to-face interaction to both internal and external customers.
• Communicates information to the appropriate individuals and/or departments in a timely manner, such as news tips, source suggestions or real or potential customer-relations issues.
• Works in cooperation with all members of company in general and Editorial Department in particular.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Behavior: Commitment to quality and service. A team player. Objectivity. A positive representative of the newspaper and colleagues as a member of the journalism profession. Dresses appropriately for the job. Valid driver’s license.

Skills: Reporting, interviewing, writing, multi-media, typing, shooting mug shots and video, using electronic media, communicating, meeting deadlines, planning and organizing.

Knowledge: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent; minimum of two years of newspaper or related media/communications experience.