Reporter, Rapid Response

Joining our rapid-response team requires a sense of what is fun, entertaining, quirky and, most importantly, what’s engaging our audiences. The Times Union is seeking a savvy reporter who can write breaking news posts, report on trends and also take deeper dives into the stories behind the headlines in the Capital Region. This is an area that’s known for innovation, thriving arts and great food, but there’s so much more to explore. 

This position demands initiative, accuracy and insight. Our ideal candidate has solid news judgment and a strong understanding of the local communities. It also demands the ability to find and identify stories and trends that are immediate and important to our readers and potential subscribers. Strong writing and reporting skills are crucial. 

This reporter will find unique angles to cover the most topical stories of the day with a focus on our audiences. This reporter should be familiar with, and focused on, the digital details of story production: headlines, SEO, multimedia assets and other points of optimization and promotion.

This is a full-time position and will include working on a weekend day each week. Other shifts or hours may be required as news warrants. This role will also require you to live in the Albany area of upstate New York, and will be hybrid/onsite.

Pay for this role will be around $28.72 to $33 per hour.

Your duties on the team

• Works collaboratively with editors, other reporters, photographers and audience team members to tell impactful stories across platforms that engage and retain local subscribers and other readers

• Reports and writes quickly and effectively to break news online and follows up when appropriate with more in-depth enterprise pieces

• Contributes to social media and newsletters as needed

• Demonstrates a comfort level with analysis of web and social metrics, using data to help inform coverage decisions and content promotion

Skills you bring to the team

• Digital understanding of how news stories unfold cross-platform, including ideation around unique social components to digital storytelling

• Strong news judgment and a strong sense of what stories will pop among readers and will potentially add to a broader news conversation. 

• Ability to make real-time coverage decisions in a daily news environment.

• Passion for journalism that upholds truth and accountability and is grounded in the local community

• Crisp, concise writing skills and diligent reporting with an understanding of AP style.

Requirements

• Experience reporting and writing in digital media.

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in journalism, communications, English or the real-world equivalent with a record that demonstrates suitable preparation for this role.

• Excellent news judgment and understanding of media ethics and law.

About us

The Times Union is investing in digital journalism. This role provides a unique opportunity for a journalist to make an impact in local communities. 

The Times Union is committed to growing and retaining a more diverse workforce that better reflects the communities we serve. We strongly encourage all people of working age who are traditionally underrepresented in the media to apply, including women, people of color, applicants with disabilities, those from the LGBTQ+ community and veterans.

Some great candidates may not check all the boxes for this role. If you’re passionate, dedicated and interested in working with us but don’t have all the skills listed here, please still reach out and tell us more about what you bring to the table.

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