COUNTY GOVERNMENT/COURTS REPORTER

The Telegraph Herald, an award-winning, employee-owned daily newspaper in Dubuque, Iowa, seeks a talented county government and public safety reporter to join our news team. Be part of a hard- working, aggressive newsroom working to produce the best newspaper in the state, both in print and online.

We are looking for a confident journalist who can provide robust coverage of Dubuque County government and keep tabs on public safety issues. The candidate will cover a mix of hard news and features, from the work of the Dubuque County Board of Supervisors to debates about renewable energy development policy to local response to the opioid crisis. The reporter also keeps tabs on local court cases, both providing coverage of major trials and helping readers understand how courts, police and criminal justice issues affect them. The ideal candidate should be as adept at breaking a story on our website in the middle of the afternoon as on the front page the next morning. Investigative reporting and data-driven work is encouraged.

Our salaries are very competitive with others in the industry. In addition, our employee-owned paper offers the possibility of raises after one year, and current employees earn shares in the company annually that fully vest after five years, providing another significant financial benefit. Because we are locally owned, important decisions about our products are made by people who live and work in our community.

Prior professional or collegiate media experience is required. Prior experience at a daily newspaper is preferred, but we are willing to consider any talented journalist. New graduates of collegiate journalism programs are encouraged to apply.

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Overall Responsibilities:

To find and gather information both words and images (mugs and video) -- for the newspapers print and digital platforms. To write news and feature stories.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Monitors events, activities and issues in assigned geographic and subject area(s).
• Suggests content and coverage within assigned areas, coordinates with supervisors and peers.
• Posts content on social media as directed, consistent with policy and content strategy.
• Takes still photos (mostly head-and-shoulders images) and video.
• Writes text for video stories. Records narrative audio, as assigned.
• Develops and maintains ongoing contact with sources in assigned geographical and topical area(s).
• Meets deadlines.
• Monitors news and issues, from local to international.
• Suggests content and coverage consistent with audience interest and editorial direction.
• Suggests and initiates programs and procedures to enhance products, efficiency and morale.
• Adheres to company and departmental policies.
• Adheres to standard practices and ethical standards of the industry.
• Positive representative of department, company and industry at all times.
• Attends and participates in corporate initiatives such as Great Game of Business, ESOP meetings, etc.
• Provides quality customer service via phone, email and face-to-face interaction to both internal and external customers.
• Communicates information to the appropriate individuals and/or departments in a timely manner, such as news tips, source suggestions or real or potential customer-relations issues.
• Works in cooperation with all members of company in general and Editorial Department in particular.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Behavior: Commitment to quality and service. A team player. Objectivity. A positive representative of the newspaper and colleagues as a member of the journalism profession. Dresses appropriately for the job. Valid drivers license.

Skills: Reporting, interviewing, writing, multi-media, typing, shooting mug shots and video, using electronic media, communicating, meeting deadlines, planning and organizing.

Knowledge: Bachelors degree or equivalent; minimum of two years of newspaper or related media/communications experience.