Government Reporter

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The Fayetteville Observer/, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, is searching fora curious,skilled and persistent reporter to cover local government on behalf of the residents of Cumberland County, North Carolina, with a focus onexplanatory,enterpriseandinvestigativereporting.

This reporter will find and tell compelling stories that explore government agencies and institutions to ensure that they are meeting their responsibilities to the public. This reporter should be comfortable humanizing data, as well as considering the social justice ramifications of local government decisions, whether by action or omission.

This is a job that goes beyond day-to-day meeting covering to identify trends and hot topics. It is a job where the reporter will identify trends and hot topics, pivot between different topics and consistently produce content that resonates with our current readers and helps us grow our audience. The reporter must be attuned to political trends, alliances and influence in polarizing times and deliver coverage that holds public officials accountable and helps readers make informed decisions about their community.

We’reseeking a reporter with strong writing skills who can produce insightful journalism that makes a connection with readers. The reporter will act as a public ambassador through community outreach and will connect with readers through social media. They will provide thoughtful analyses of complex issues and produce watchdog journalism that leads to change. We need a reporter whoisn’tafraid to askhardquestionsanddoesn’tsettle forlimits set by PIO gatekeepers.

Equity and inclusion are central to our reporting, and we need a reporter who shares the mission of including the vast array of viewpoints in our communities. Fayetteville is a vibrant,growing and diverse community, andthe

Black communityisa vital part of the cultural mosaic. Our ideal candidate delivers aggressive, forward-looking work that breaksnews, highlights disparities that affect quality of life and holds public officials to account for their actions. The reporter will work with editors to shape storytelling to meet audience needs and interests. Topics of particular importance will include government salaries and spending; financial misconduct; politics and elections;

ensuring government operates openly; and rooting out unethical behaviors.

The Fayetteville Observer, the oldest daily newspaper in North Carolina, is in the Sandhills region of the state. Cumberland County has experienced tremendous growth and development in recent years and is home to Fort Bragg, one of the largest military installations in the world.

• Creates storytelling that accurately informs and engages specific audiences.
• Works toward becoming the community’s leading voice in areaof expertise.
• Write both quick-turn stories on news of the day as well as more in-depth enterprise stories and…