Mississippi State sports reporter - NE MS Daily Journal

The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal is seeking an energetic, enterprising and experienced reporter to cover Mississippi State athletics.

We are looking for someone who is ready to cover sports in the most competitive conference in college sports. The right candidate must be able to work independently, to quickly develop sources and have a deep knowledge of both the SEC and NCAA.

This beat is highly competitive, with several in-state and national outlets covering the Bulldogs. The right person must be unafraid to ask tough questions, push for answers and be persistent in getting the story.

This position will be based in Starkville, home to Mississippi State and only about an hour away from the Daily Journal offices in Tupelo.

Duties and responsibilities

Your typical duties and responsibilities will include:

• Finding and breaking news as it happens.
• Going beyond the stale game stories to provide thoughtful analysis to those who saw the games but want deeper understanding of what happened and why.
• Providing entertaining briefs on trending topics as they happen.
• Writing features that look behind the Xs and Os to the players, coaches and personnel that make up the programs.
• Generating enterprise ideas that go deeper into important issues that affect Mississippi State athletics and the sports world in general. This includes being comfortable filing Freedom of Information Act and public records requests.
• Working with a team of editors and reporters to collaborate on specific topics or bigger projects.
• Easily switching between fast-paced reporting and long-term projects throughout the season, including breaking news on multiple sports at any given time.
• Engaging with readers and fans via social media, providing not only insights but entertainment. Must feel comfortable in letting their personality and true self shine through.
• Work with editors to evaluate what's working and what's not, and develop ongoing plans to meet audience demands.
• Promoting a personal brand, the brands of colleagues, and that of the Daily Journal and other Journal Inc. properties.

Qualifications

The successful candidate should have the following qualifications:

• College degree, in journalism preferred
• Strong writing, spelling and grammar skills; familiarity with AP style
• At least 1 year sports reporting experience, 2-3 years preferred, college sports reporting preferred
• Deep knowledge of NCAA sports, knowledge of SEC schools preferred
• Ability to work independently in a remote-like setting
• Ability to collaborate with remote team on stories and projects
• Strong knowledge of effective use of social media, especially emerging platforms that may be more prevalent among high-school and college athletes
• Knowledge and understanding of how to use digital metrics to produce and promote engaging content
• Comfort building a beat in a competitive environment and communicating with athletes and coaches.
• Flexibility to work odd hours and different days as game schedules demand
• Excellent news judgment

Benefits

We offer the following benefits:

• Health insurance with optional dental and vision
• 401(k)
• Paid vacation and sick days
• Relocation assistance package

To apply

Send resumes, clips and references to Executive Editor Sam R. Hall at sam.hall@djournal.com. No phone calls, please.

Who we are

Journal Inc. is the parent company of the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal and Mud & Magnolia Magazine in Tupelo, Mississippi; the Mississippi Business Journal in Jackson, Mississippi; and six weekly newspapers throughout Northeast Mississippi — Chickasaw Journal, Itawamba County Times, Monroe Journal, New Albany Gazette, Pontotoc Progress and Southern Sentinel.

Our combined newsrooms represent the largest media organization in the state. We are digitally focused while also maintaining strong print products. We seek to inform and entertain our readers, support our communities, hold leaders accountable to those they serve and work cooperatively to build stronger communities.

We are a drug free, EEO employer committed to a diverse workforce. We will consider all qualified candidates regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, disability, education, political affiliation or veteran status.

 

Elvis is from Tupelo, right?

 

OK, I have now found my dream publication to work for -- Mud & Magnolia Magazine ...

 

This job has been filled.

 

All the best to the new hire, Sam. Hope they want more cowbell.