The Pensacola News Journal, a member of The USA Today Florida Sports Network, seeks an experienced and driven reporter who is energized by the opportunity to help cover high school sports in Florida’s Panhandle.
How to apply: Please send a cover letter explaining why we should hire you for this position, how you would approach working this beat and include links to at least three pieces of content (stories, videos) that demonstrate your best work. Send it to both Florida Sports Network Editor Nick Pugliese at dpugliese@pbpost.com and Pensacola News Journal Editor Lisa Nellessen Savage at lnelless@gannett.com.
Qualifications
The right candidate will be someone who can build sources, break news and tell compelling stories. That candidate also must display an ability to write columns and analysis of everything from high school sports events to controversial topics on the high school beat.
This position requires someone who thinks digital first. Multimedia skills including the ability to produce and edit video, take photos and create photo galleries and engage their audience on social media, especially Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and X. The ability to produce and participate in podcasts is a plus.
The candidate must be comfortable analyzing and interpreting metrics to help make coverage decisions.
With an emphasis on trending stories and page views, the candidate needs to have knowledge of using Google Search to seek those type of stories for schools and athletes in the area, quickly turning around that content and promoting it on social media once published.
The right candidate will also work closely with the Gannett Florida Sports Network and collaborate with our State Recruiting reporter as well as other high school reporters across the state to enhance local and state high school content.
Key attributes for success
· Be the source of high school sports information in the Pensacola area.
· The ability to report and write compelling stories that serve our existing audience and helps attract new consumers
· Passionate about getting the information to the audience first, and excited about using various platforms to connect with the audience including video, social media and podcasts.
· Self-starter with the ability to develop relationships through phone calls, text messaging and social media.
· Understanding the collaborative nature of journalism and willing and eager to work with others to benefit our regional and statewide coverage and its audience.
