The Seattle Times, a family-owned news organization and one of the nation’s premier regional news sources, is seeking a driven general assignment Night Reporter. This job focuses on breaking news and particularly includes coverage of crime and criminal legal systems issues, with the expectation of additional enterprise and features coverage. The Reporter also must be flexible and eager to handle general assignments and breaking news duties such as traffic, weather, accidents, obituaries, demonstrations, live updates and reporting on the coronavirus pandemic.

Schedule

This is a 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. shift with occasional weekend and holiday day or evening shifts. 

Responsibilities

• Have experience covering a wide range of topics, including crime, law enforcement, government and politics, and human interest features, with the ability to quickly come up to speed on unfamiliar subjects.
• Work with the criminal justice editor to make quick decisions to prioritize news needs, deciding what stories to pursue and then report and write them quickly while being fair, balanced and accurate.
• Write clear, focused and well-organized stories. Handle a variety of subjects and story-telling approaches.
• Be inclusive in coverage, developing a range of sources and story ideas that fairly represent the rich cultural diversity of our region.
• Have a knack for identifying stories readers in the Seattle area will be interested in by using social media, callouts, audience analytics and other tools.
• Experience filing public records requests and using social media and crowd sourcing to provide color and clarity to news as its happening.   
• Be able to work in high-pressure situations when big news hits and deadlines are tight.
• Be willing to experiment, try new story topics and formats, and evaluate and learn from the outcomes of those experiments, always with an eye toward reaching audiences and driving subscriptions.
• Work with colleagues in Photo, Graphics/Interactives and the Digital Audience Team to coordinate visuals and digital assets for stories.
• Aside from quick-strike news, work on enterprise and accountability stories that educate, enlighten, inspire, delight, offer perspective; stories people see themselves in; stories people want to share and discuss; and stories that hold the powerful accountable and shed light on injustices and wrongdoing.
• Help other reporters as needed.

Qualifications

We are committed to diversity and creating an inclusive newsroom, and encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply. If your profile doesn’t match this job description exactly, you may still be a candidate for this position. Please let us know how your skills and experience relate to the role and its objectives.

• Experience: At least two years’ experience working as a reporter for a newsgathering organization.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree or relevant equivalent experience.
• Requires excellent grammar and language skills, and familiarity with digital news production, social media and analytics.
• Must be able to analyze facts and make judgments about relevance, newsworthiness, fairness, etc., under pressure and on deadline. 
• Must have the ability to write clearly, accurately and creatively on multiple platforms.
• Must have the ability to write stories using Methode, WordPress or other content management systems used by the newsroom.
• Must have experience using smartphones, tablets or other Web-enabled devices to monitor news, file stories from the field, and cover breaking news.
• Requires social media skills, including the ability to use Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and other emerging social networks.
• Must understand and uphold the standards, ethics and mission of journalism at The Seattle Times, regardless of platform.

This position requires a criminal background check and drug screen for controlled substances (including marijuana). As a union-represented position, you will also be required to join a union and pay membership dues.

Founded in 1896, The Seattle Times continues its tradition as a family-owned, independent newspaper that cuts through the clutter and provides readers with timely, relevant news. As the largest newsroom in the Pacific Northwest, we serve the region with thoughtful journalism that makes a real difference in our community. And as a media solutions company, Seattle Times Media Solutions combines cutting-edge digital capabilities and service with the values and integrity of respected traditional media with an established audience of 1.9 million. At The Seattle Times, you’ll find work that matters.

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