National News Reporter

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Create and write compelling, informative stories for boat shoppers, recreational users, and enthusiasts.

• Produce buying guides, product comparisons, explainers, and other service-oriented journalism.

• Report on boating news, trends, innovations, destinations, events, and culture.

• Conceptualize original video ideas for the Boats hub.

• Report, film, and generate platform-appropriate videos, including on-camera segments, demonstrations, interviews, and field reporting.

• Transform reporting into engaging visual stories for YouTube, social media platforms, and other video outlets.

• Suggest story ideas based on news, seasonal interests, consumer needs, search behavior, and audience analytics.

• Balance quick-turnaround coverage with in-depth reporting, unique features, and recurring content series.

• Develop content tailored for search, social media, newsletters, video, and other audience engagement channels.

• Foster relationships with boat manufacturers, dealers, industry experts, recreational organizations, boat owners, and additional sources.

• Collaborate with journalists throughout the USA TODAY Network to locate local expertise and broaden coverage.

• Assist in defining the Boats hub's editorial voice, coverage priorities, and publishing schedule.

• Track performance metrics and fine-tune topics, formats, packaging, and distribution strategies.

• Success will be evaluated based on audience growth, development of hub voice, video performance, search/social/direct growth, repeat visits, quality of coverage, recurring content series, collaboration efforts, and the application of performance insights.

⛳️ Requirements

• A true passion for boats, boating, and life on the water.

• Proficient reporting, writing skills, and sound news judgment.

• Ability to make boating accessible to newcomers while maintaining credibility with seasoned enthusiasts.

• Confidence in crafting stories based on consumer inquiries and real-world audience needs.

• Strong instincts for video and comfort working both behind and in front of the camera.

• Capability to determine the best format for storytelling, whether through articles, videos, social content, or a mix of formats.

• Knowledge of SEO, social media best practices, and audience analytics.

• Clear and concise writing style that avoids unnecessary jargon.

• An energetic and creative mindset when building a new editorial product.

• Ability to work autonomously while effectively collaborating across a distributed newsroom.

• Sound judgment when reporting in marinas, on boats, and around water environments.

• Demonstrated experience in journalism, digital media, video production, or a related content area.

• Excellent reporting, writing, communication, and organizational abilities.

• Proven experience in creating original video content.

• Experience in shooting and producing video in field settings.

• Comfort with on-camera appearances and conducting interviews.

• Capacity to manage multiple stories and formats in a fast-paced setting.

• Understanding of audience strategy and digital publishing.

• Employment is contingent upon successfully passing a post-offer, pre-employment background check.

• Preferred: experience covering boats, outdoor recreation, travel, consumer products, or a related field.

• Preferred: demonstrated knowledge of boats and boating culture.

• Preferred: experience with video editing and YouTube programming.

• Preferred: experience producing product reviews, demonstrations, or comparative content.

• Preferred: familiarity with consumer buying journeys, affiliate-supported content, or commerce journalism.

• Preferred: understanding of newsletter strategy and performance metrics.

• Preferred: experience utilizing audience data to identify and develop coverage opportunities.

• Application must include a resume, cover letter, links to three to six samples of reporting, video, or other digital work, along with a brief description of one story or video franchise, compiled into a single PDF.

🏝️ Benefits

• Full-time position eligible for benefits.