Business and Development Reporter

The Visalia Times-Delta/visaliatimesdelta.com, part of USA TODAY NETWORK, is seeking a business and development reporter to cover new business, development, housing and retail sectors in Visalia and Tulare, located in the Central Valley in California.

This beat includes checking agendas, attending planning commission and city council meetings, looking through reports for regional housing trends, and daily stories featuring businesses, what’s coming, and what’s going in the areas of Tulare County.

We are seeking a journalist who wants to lead coverage for the region and can develop sources. This person should enjoy speaking with real people, business and city leaders, developers and residents interested in the latest news on what may be coming to Visalia and Tulare.

This beat may also lend a hand in various coverage topics including public safety and education, as needed.

Experience with public records requests, deciphering agendas, maps, site plans and contracts and working with databases is preferred. Equity and inclusion are central to our reporting and we need a reporter who shares the mission of including the vast array of viewpoints from the Central Valley, including a diversity of ages, genders, races, religions and physical and mental abilities.

Visalia and Tulare are medium-size cities with more than 200,000 people combined located in the Central Valley and a short distance from Sequoia, Kings and Yosemite National Parks, Fresno, shopping, dining and a diverse nightlife.

Visalia and Tulare are located midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Responsibilities:

• Work toward becoming the community’s leading voice in trending news.
• Connect with the community through storytelling.
• Provide thoughtful analysis.
• Work with your editor to evaluate what's working and what's not and develop ongoing plans to better reach audience needs.
• Collaborate with photographers to provide all appropriate elements for stories. Capture basic photos and video as needed.
• Promote personal brand, the brands of colleagues and the institutional brand.
• Provide great customer service, helping readers find answers and solutions.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's or master’s in communications, journalism or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least two years of reporting experience in a daily newsroom.
• Strong communication skills, news judgment and headline-writing ability.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including empathy and compassion.
• Proficiency on social media platforms; including but not limited to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Reddit and experience engaging readers in this public space.
• Energetic self-starter and a fast thinker who can spot stories that matter.
• Experience shooting and editing photos and video on an iPhone.
• Ability to multitask and excel in a fast-paced environment under intense deadline pressure.
• Ability to work collaboratively and efficiently with a team of journalists.
• Strong writing, spelling and grammar skills and knowledge of AP style.
• Command of media law and principles of ethical conduct.
• 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 & motor vehicle record check.

Application 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 $20.50 and $23.50. 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.