Service Journalism and Trending Reporter

Service Journalism and Trending Reporter

USA TODAY Co., Inc. is a diversified media company dedicated to empowering and enriching communities. We seek to inspire, inform, and connect audiences through sustainable growth and trusted journalism at both national and local levels.

The USA TODAY Network is looking for a Tennessee Connect reporter to join our service journalism and trending Connect team. This reporter will provide timely and audience-focused coverage in Nashville and across the state.

We are looking for a reporter who is quick and flexible — full of topic-focused story ideas, who can urgently pursue them and write them at volume in varied formats. The reporter should be deeply curious, highly competitive, and possess the desire to inform digital audiences. The reporter should feel comfortable working with local and national editors and reporters across the USA TODAY Network, and be able to move seamlessly between topics.

Great digital headline-writing skills are a must.

The reporter will work alongside our USA TODAY Network sites or the network Connect editors and content strategists to cover high-interest stories, help swarm breaking news, and plan for major events.

The reporter should be comfortable interacting with and listening to social media and other digital communities, and be comfortable on camera. They will use data and analytics, Google Trends, and other SEO tools to inform their story choices and presentations on and off our platforms. The reporter must love telling stories quickly when needed, in-depth when called for, and always with accuracy.

Living in or recently having lived in Nashville or having familiarity with the state and interests of communities is a plus.

The typical shift will start early, but must be flexible for what the topic needs, meaning nights and/or weekends may also be required. The position can be hybrid, with opportunity to work out of Nashville’s newsroom. It can also be remote, depending on the location of the successful candidate.

• Monitor emails, social media, community groups, and other sources to find stories.
• Monitor developing stories across news, social, and other media platforms for key topics important to Tennesseans.
• Efficiently and accurately write stories, several per day.
• Find, pitch, and swiftly produce stories on topics of emerging interest, with a focus on what readers want and need to know.
• Ensure content is properly optimized for competitive search ranking and best practices for user experience.

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in journalism or related field.
• Expert at using social media platforms; including but not limited to Facebook, X, Instagram, Tik Tok, Reddit, and Bluesky.
• Command of concise writing, spelling, grammar, and AP style.
• Good fact-checking and reporting skills.
• Well-organized, detail-oriented and flexible.
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
• Facility with AI and automation and experience in using it to enhance journalism.

• Your resume – one to two pages.
• A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job.
• Links to 3-6 online samples of your work. Show us what you’ve produced or had a hand in that best reflects what you can do in your desired role.

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.

USA TODAY Co., Inc. is a proud equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a diverse workforce. As such, we will consider all qualified applicants for employment and do not discriminate in connection with employment decisions on the basis of an applicant or employee’s race, color, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, citizenship status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, marital status, personal appearance (including height and weight), sexual orientation, family responsibilities, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy status (including childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), education, genetic characteristics or information, political affiliation, military or veteran status or other classifications protected by applicable federal, state and local laws in the jurisdictions where USA TODAY Co.

employs employees. In addition, USA TODAY Co., Inc. will provide applicants who require a reasonable accommodation, as a result of an applicant’s disability or religion, to complete this employment application and/or any other process in connection with an individuals’ application for employment with USA TODAY Co., Inc. Applicants who require such accommodation should contact USA TODAY Co., Inc.’s Recruitment Department at  .

Applicants must be authorized to work in the applicable location. Applications from outside these regions will be removed from our system after submission.