AI-Assisted Reporter

AI-Assisted Reporter — TODAY Californian

Team: Content AI
Location: Remote; candidate must be located in California
Schedule: Full-time; flexible hours aligned to news demands

The role:

USA TODAY NETWORK is seeking an AI-Assisted Reporter to support TODAY Californian coverage with fast, accurate, high-volume journalism. This role is built for a reporter who can turn a wide range of source material into useful, publishable coverage for readers across California.

This is not a traditional beat role. You will use approved AI tools and newsroom workflows to accelerate production, identify coverage opportunities, and help turn timely information into strong journalism. At USA TODAY Co., AI serves journalism — never the other way around.

What you’ll do:

• Produce and publish high-quality California coverage using AI-assisted workflows.
• Convert source material such as advisories, public information, data, press materials, and other structured inputs into articles, explainers, summaries, and service pieces.
• Adapt stories for different audience needs, including shorter versions, “what to know” formats, local-to-state framing, and state-to-local framing.
• Verify facts, names, dates, locations, and claims; conduct interviews or additional reporting when needed.
• Work with editors and cross-functional partners to keep coverage accurate, timely, and reader-focused.
• Help improve and document repeatable workflows that can be reused across the newsroom.

What we’re looking for:

Requirements:

• Newsroom experience producing accurate journalism under deadline pressure.
• Comfort working independently and managing a steady production workload.
• Strong verification instincts and accountability for published work.
• Experience with service journalism, local news, or high-volume digital production.
• Comfort using public data, search tools, and CMS workflows.
• Experience adapting stories for different formats and audience needs.

The hourly rate for this role will range between $24.04 and $28.85. Base compensation is reflective of many factors, including, but not limited to, the market in which one lives/works, individual education level, skills, certifications and experience.

Note:

variable compensation is not reflected in these figures and based on the role, may be applicable.