Department: Jacksonville Today
Reports to: Editorial Director
Job Summary:
The Jacksonville Today reporter will cover Jacksonville’s public institutions and beyond with a focus on investigative work, data journalism and data visualization. You will be part of the national-award-winning nonprofit Jacksonville Today digital news team.
Jacksonville Today’s weekday newsletter and website are part of a long-term strategy to play a more vital role in the region’s local news ecosystem. With a launch in 2021, the initiative has, to date, received more than $2 million in seed funding from national and regional foundations and other philanthropists, and Jacksonville Today has quickly gained a following, with local reporting that wasn’t available anywhere else on education, the environment, law enforcement, candidates for elected office, and more.
Thousands of readers start their mornings with the Jacksonville Today newsletter. Your reporting could be the first thing they read. Maybe it prompts them to contact a City Council member, sign a petition or share what they learned with a friend.
Supervisory Responsibilities: None
Duties/Responsibilities:
- Report in-depth stories for civically engaged readers
- Focus on investigative work but also cover breaking news in your focus area, as well as explanatory or solutions journalism as warranted
- Appear on WJCT News 89.9 talk programs to discuss your reporting
- Occasionally contribute soundbites for air
Required Skills/Abilities:
- Keep up with day-to-day functions of the institutions you cover
- Ability to develop and maintain relationships with sources
- Impeccable research, writing and reporting skills, including requesting public records;
- Rock solid journalistic ethics
- Ability to work collaboratively with editors and colleagues but also independently manage your own projects
Education and Experience:
- At least 2 to 5 years reporting news for web, print or broadcast;
- Preferred: Track record of investigative reporting that broke news;
- Preferred: Data journalism experience, including talent with data visualization software;
- Preferred: Experience publishing with content management systems (ideally WordPress);
- Preferred: Knowledge of Northeast Florida’s politics and major issues
Physical Requirements:
Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
Work Location:
- Hybrid – a mix of on site in our Jacksonville, Florida, newsroom and remote
WJCT Public Media EEO Statement:
WJCT Public Media is an equal-opportunity, equal access employer. WJCT Public Media’s employment decisions are based on applicants’ qualifications for the positions being considered. These decisions are made with no regard to race, sex, national origin, color, age, disability, veteran status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, religion, or any other protected status.
WJCT Public Media Statement of Diversity:
WJCT Public Media values the unique thoughts and ideas diverse voices bring to our organization and to our community, and we pride ourselves on being an employer where individuals are given the respect, acceptance and support needed to achieve their professional best.
WJCT Public Media A Drug-Free Workplace:
WJCT Public Media is committed to providing a safe and productive work environment for our employees. As such, candidates being considered for employment with WJCT Public Media will be required to complete a pre-employment drug screen prior to any confirmation of offers.
