Sports Reporter, Springfield, Missouri

Springfield News-Leader
, part of the USA TODAY Network, is seeking a sports reporter to join our team and create impactful journalism from southwest Missouri. The role will involve cultivating sources from high‑school sports across the Ozark Country and reporting on the Division I athletic program at Missouri State University in Conference USA.

• 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 editors and content strategists to evaluate what works and develop ongoing plans to satisfy audience needs.
• Provide appropriate elements for stories (photos, videos, graphics) and capture basic photos and video as needed.
• Promote the personal brand, colleague brands, and the institutional brand.
• Provide great customer service, helping readers find answers and solutions.

• A 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 education and experience.
• Previous reporting experience preferred; coverage of sports is especially valuable.
• Proficiency on social media platforms, including 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.
• Ability to multitask and excel under deadline pressure.
• Ability to work collaboratively and efficiently.
• Strong writing, spelling, and grammar skills; familiarity with AP style.
• Ability to work nights and weekends.
• Comfort building a beat and communicating with athletes and coaches.

This position offers a competitive base salary and career growth opportunities. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short‑term disability, long‑term disability, paid time off, company paid holidays, employee discount program, and domestic partner benefits.

USA TODAY Co., Inc. is a proud equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a diverse workforce. As such, we will consider all qualified applicants for employment and do not discriminate in connection with employment decisions on the basis of an applicant or employee’s 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 medical conditions), education, genetic characteristics or information, political affiliation, military or veteran status or other classifications protected by applicable federal, state and local laws in the jurisdictions where USA TODAY Co.

employs employees.

In addition, USA TODAY Co., Inc. will provide applicants who require a reasonable accommodation, as a result of an applicant’s disability or religion, to complete this employment application and/or any other process in connection with any individual’s application for employment with USA TODAY Co., Inc. Applicants who require such accommodation should contact USA TODAY Co., Inc.’s Recruitment Department at  Applicants must be authorized to work in the applicable location.

Applications from outside these regions will be removed from our system after submission.