Special Writer – Education

Summary of position

This reporter will cover education topics on Long Island ranging from the impact of national education policies on K-12 schools and colleges to local trends in Long Island schools. The ideal candidate will develop enterprise stories and cover breaking education news by cultivating sources to help build a diverse audience. The reporter will be comfortable interpreting large data sets and presenting the information in a clear, engaging manner to readers. The beat also calls for an understanding and familiarity with using metrics to inform coverage.

Essential Duties & Functions

• Possess excellent writing, reporting, data analysis and news-gathering skills, including source cultivation.
• Find and develop enterprise stories that address the costs of education on Long Island, trends in education and the impact of national policies on the local level.
• Use social media and other audience platforms to find sources and stories to supplement our reporting and to communicate about key topic areas.
• Develop skills and collaborate with other teams, especially NewsdayTV and digital, to incorporate alternative storytelling and visual storytelling.

Essential Job Knowledge & Skills

• At least 5 years’ reporting experience required.
• Demonstrated ability to break news, file quickly and accurately for all our platforms, meet tight deadlines, juggle more than one story at a time, cultivate sources, understand the importance of data-driven reporting and produce high-profile enterprise stories.
• A self-starter who can bring a creative approach to covering the news.
• Comfortable and proficient using social media, smartphone photo and video and other media platforms to report and tell stories.
• Ability to write in an engaging manner is essential.
• Attention to detail is required.
• Ability and willingness to collaborate and build a rapport with others across departments.
• Ability to find fresh story angles and write concise, engaging copy in keeping with Newsday's tone and format.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills required.

Physical Requirements

• This position is hybrid with a three-day-per-week, in-office requirement.
• Ability to travel throughout Long Island and the surrounding region.
• Driver’s license in good standing and reliable means of transportation are required.

Compensation

• The base annual compensation for this position is $109,000
• This position is represented by the Graphics Communication Conference, PPPWU.

Newsday Media Group is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants and incumbents are selected, placed, trained, compensated and promoted without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital or veteran status, or disability or other classifications protected by applicable law.  In addition, Newsday Media Group provides a reasonable accommodation for applicants/incumbents with disabilities. Please advise Human Resources if you require a reasonable accommodation.