News Reporter - Children's K-12 education, health and welfare

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The way a community takes care of its children – their health, welfare, education and development – is a key indication of its values, aspirations and problem-solving abilities.

Newsrooms traditionally have set up coverage of children focused on education or schools, definitions that narrow the lens and inevitably fix the focus on institutions.

We aim to go beyond that, to tell meaningful stories with solutions-oriented angles about how parents, educators, public officials and the community collectively plan for the future of our children.

This beat will demand deep source-building and consistent engagement, and the ability to tell stories on different platforms and in varied formats.

Typical Job Duties

• Creates storytelling that accurately informs, engages and enlightens our audience.
• Explores and reports on children in East Tennessee, particularly Knox County, with a focus on connecting with our audience’s passions.
• Works toward becoming the community’s leading voice on children's issues.
• Demonstrates clear concise writing skills and an emphasis on “why this is important to me.”
• Understands that people love to read about where they’re from and how it’s viewed from home and from outside.
• Works with our content strategist and audience analyst to evaluate what's working and what's not and develops ongoing plans to better satisfy audience needs.
• Collaborates with our content team to provide all appropriate elements for stories (i.e. videos, photos and graphics). Captures basic video and photos as needed.
• Promotes personal brand, the brands of colleagues and the institutional brand.
• Provides great customer service, helping readers find answers and solutions.
• Performs other duties as necessary.
  
  

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in experience and education.
• Record of excellence in reporting.
• Strong news judgment.
• Outstanding research skills and ability to build extensive contacts.
• Ability to create trust within your niche community.
• Knowledge of AP style.
• SEO proficiency.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Passion about news and content that will work well with audiences on social platforms.
• Expertise using social media such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X to enhance reporting and promote stories.
• Knowledge of reporting ethics and sourcing.
• Candidates should have facility with AI and automation and experience in using it to enhance their journalism
• Ability to collaborate well with others and to work within geographically separated teams on the biggest stories.
• Must be willing to travel on short notice to cover breaking news events.
• Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and the minimum liability insurance required by state law.
  
  

Life in Knoxville

Knoxville combines the best of urban and outdoors life in one of the most beautiful settings in America, on the banks of the Tennessee River and in the shadows of the Great Smoky Mountains. The city is home to the University of Tennessee, which adds even more energy to a dynamic city that hosts internationally recognized chefs, a thriving independent retail scene, world-class outdoors venues, including the renowned urban wilderness, and the elite athletics of the Southeastern Conference. It’s also home to the critically acclaimed Big Ears music festival created by Bonnaroo founder Ashley Capps, who lives here and helps nurture a thriving original music scene that draws artists from across the globe. And the cost of living will blow you away — it’s one of the country’s more affordable urban areas in a state with no income tax

How To Apply

We are eager to learn more about you and how you fit this role. When you apply, don’t limit your upload to a resume; show us what you’ve done. To do so, put together a single document file 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. Show us what you’ve produced or had a hand in that best reflects what you can do in your desired role.
  
  

It is important that these items be assembled into a single document and uploaded in PDF format. Completing these steps will ensure that your application receives the highest consideration.

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