Breaking News and Public Safety Reporter

The Corpus Christi Caller-Times , part of the
USA TODAY NETWORK, is seeking a breaking and public safety reporter with experience in fast-paced breaking news and deeper enterprise coverage.

Corpus Christi sits on the Gulf Coast, about three hours southwest of Houston and two hours south of San Antonio. Its population is about two-thirds Latino. The warm climate, beach, rich history and political dynamics make Corpus Christi a lively area for telling great stories.

The reporter must hold local law enforcement accountable while providing fair, accurate coverage. The reporter will supplement breaking news with in-depth enterprise stories that seek a wider perspective beyond a single crime.

The ideal candidate will be self-driven, meticulous and able to balance skepticism and an open mind. Flexibility is key, as are compassion and creativity. Your week could consist of covering a competitive, quick breaking story; interviewing a victim's family; and crunching crime statistics and exploring criminal justice trends.

This job requires getting out in the community to build a source network and conducting in-person interviews with people from all walks of life. It also requires video, photography and social media skills to enhance coverage.

Knowledge of Excel and other tools to mine data for both in-depth and quick-hit projects will be a big advantage for any applicant.

Like other reporter jobs, this includes whatever else develops locally with other Gannett journalists. A teamwork philosophy is key, and we are at times called upon to assist in some fashion with projects all the way up to the level of USA TODAY.

Candidates should have facility with AI and automation and experience in using it to enhance their journalism.

Fluency in Spanish is a plus.

Responsibilities:

• Create content (articles, videos and photos) about local news that accurately informs, entertains and engages key audiences and platforms.
• Balance both quick-hit and enterprise stories.
• Provide thoughtful, in-depth coverage of complex issues.
• Work with the editor to evaluate what's working and what's not and develop ongoing plans to better satisfy audience needs.
• Collaborate with the content team to provide all appropriate elements for stories (i.e., photos, videos, and graphics).

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, marketing or related field preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• One to two years' reporting experience, which could include freelancing, internships and college publication work.
• Adept at taking photos and video and ability to file quickly across platforms: mobile, desktop and social media.
• Strong command of grammar.
• Strong copy-editing skills and the ability to produce content that is clean, accurate and publication ready.
• Is passionate and enthusiastic about news and content that will work well with audiences on social platforms.
• Comfortable in fluid, fast-breaking, stressful situations.
• Is comfortable using social media such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Reddit to enhance reporting and promote stories.
• Understands reporting ethics and sourcing.
• Excels in a fast-paced news environment and understands the digital-first mission.
• Collaborates well with others and can work with a team on the biggest stories.
• News often requires employees to work extended hours, evenings, weekends and holidays, sometimes unexpectedly.
• This role requires a valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and the minimum liability insurance required by state law.

Application instructions

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:

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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