Sports Reporter, Ocala FL

Ocala Star Banner is seeking a versatile and curious reporter to join our sports team and create stories and visual content that captures the high school sports scene in and around Ocala, Florida.

Ocala offers a blend of small‑town charm and growing economic opportunity. It is known as the “Horse Capital of the World” and hosts a large equestrian scene. The city also hosts one of Florida’s biggest holiday high school basketball tournaments, and a new high school is opening in the fall of 2026.

• Create storytelling that accurately informs, entertains and engages specific audiences and platforms through the use of metrics.
• Work toward becoming the community’s leading voice of expertise in high school sports.
• Connect with the community through storytelling and outreach (social media, on‑camera, forums, community leadership, etc.) and provide thoughtful analysis of complex issues.
• Collaborate with editor and content strategist to evaluate what’s working, develop ongoing plans to satisfy audience needs.
• Collaborate to provide appropriate elements for stories (photos, videos, graphics); 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.

• Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation and the minimum liability insurance required by state law.
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in communications, journalism or related field preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proficiency on social media platforms, including but not limited to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Reddit.
• Experience shooting and editing photos and video on a mobile device.
• Strong communication skills, news judgment and headline‑writing ability.
• AI and automation literacy and experience, and willingness to use it to enhance journalism.
• Ability to multitask and excel under intense deadline pressure.
• Ability to work collaboratively and efficiently.
• Strong writing, spelling and grammar skills; familiarity with AP style.
• Ability to work some nights and weekends.
• Comfort building a beat and communicating with athletes and coaches.

Applicants should submit a single PDF document that includes the following in this order:

• Your resume (one to two pages).
• A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job.
• Links to 3‑6 online samples of your work, showing what you have produced or contributed in a similar role.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the applicable location. Applications from outside these regions will be removed from our system after submission.

USA TODAY Co., Inc. is a proud equal‑opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment and will not be discriminated against based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, citizenship status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, marital status, personal appearance (including height and weight), sexual orientation, family responsibilities, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy status (including childbirth, breastfeeding or related conditions), education, genetic characteristics, political affiliation, military or veteran status, or any other classification protected by applicable federal, state and local laws where USA TODAY Co.

employs employees. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants who require them. Contact the Recruitment Department at  for accommodation requests.