The Springfield News-Leader is looking for a thoughtful and community-minded reporter who wants to help re-imagine the public safety beat.

Breaking news, crime and courts will be part of the mix, sure. But the way we cover policing, criminal justice and our community must change, to hold law enforcement agencies accountable, seek a more nuanced representation of the challenges we face and rebuild trust with neglected communities.
 
You’ll need to dig deeper and seek a wider perspective, cultivate diverse sources and devote resources to debunking myths and stereotypes. You’ll write about serious crime, scrutinize police tactics and spotlight social issues, while being sensitive to how our stories affect the people and neighborhoods we cover.
 
An ideal candidate will be conscientious and collaborative, skeptical and comfortable with conflicting views.Flexibility is key, as are compassion and creativity: You’ll cover a protest one day, interview a victim’s family the next, and end the week crunching crime statistics and public defender caseloads.
 
The beat will evolve as you share best practices with network colleagues around the country. Metrics and audience research will help guide decisions about how to cover topics and issues as you engage with readers on a variety of platforms to drive audience and subscriber growth.
 
The News-Leader is the third-largest newspaper in Missouri. Springfield, a city of 170,000, is a regional hub for business, health care and education. A gateway to the Ozarks, it boasts a bevy of outdoor recreational opportunities.
 

Responsibilities:

• Produce sensitive, insightful coverage that accurately informs and engages multiple audiences, providing a news product that offers context and diverse points of view.
• Be courageous about experimentation and deliberate about evolving policy. Identify enterprise opportunities and chase them with passion.
  
• Leverage diverse tools, text, images and video to reach readers in print, digital and on social media.
  
• Be a team player who likes to collaborate with coworkers.
  Use metrics and analytics to increase digital audience and engagement and grow digital subscriptions.
  
• Serve as an ambassador to the community on the News-Leader’s behalf and actively seek to engage with marginalized portions of the community.
  Pitch in with stories on other topics and perform other duties as necessary.
  On occasion, work extended hours, evenings, weekends and holidays, at times unexpectedly. News happens.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's or master’s degree in communications, journalism or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  A strong foundation in core writing and reporting skills and familiarity with public records.
  
• Enthusiasm for deep research and artful storytelling.
  
• Solid news judgment and a commitment to accuracy.
  
• Top-notch planning, organizational and time management skills.
  
• Communication, communication, and communication.
  
• Command of media law and principles of ethical conduct.
  Understanding of metrics, social media and SEO.
  
• Self-motivation and self-direction.
  
• Ability to multi-task and excel under intense deadline pressure in a rapidly changing environment.
  A valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and the minimum liability insurance required by state law.
  
• Employment is contingent on passing a pre-employment, post-offer background check.

Application Instructions:
Interested and qualified journalists / candidates, please apply here and upload your materials combined into one single document/file. In one file, submit a cover letter, resume, at least three references and links to 5-10 online samples of your work. Show us what you’ve written, produced or had a hand in that best reflects what you can do.

*It's important that these items be combined into a single document attachment/upload (preferably in PDF format). The application will only allow one document upload. Completing these steps will ensure that you receive the highest consideration.
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