Service Journalism and Trending Reporter

Overview

USA TODAY Co., Inc. is a diversified media company with national and local reach. We empower and enrich communities through journalism, digital experiences, and marketing solutions. The USA TODAY Network includes the national publication, USA TODAY, and local properties, plus Newsquest in the United Kingdom. We deliver high-quality, trusted content with balanced, unbiased journalism and support small and medium-sized businesses with Locali

Q.

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, audience-focused coverage in Nashville and across the state.

• Monitor emails, social media, community groups, and other sources to find stories.
• Monitor developing stories across news, social, and other media platforms for topics important to Tennesseans.
• Efficiently and accurately write multiple stories per day in varied formats.
• Find, pitch, and swiftly produce stories on emerging topics with a focus on what readers want and need to know.
• Ensure content is optimized for competitive search ranking and user experience best practices.
• Collaborate with USA TODAY Network sites, Connect editors, and content strategists to cover high-interest stories, swarm breaking news, and plan major events.
• Engage with social media and digital communities; on-camera presence is a plus.
• Use data, analytics, Google Trends, and other SEO tools to inform story choices and presentation on and off platforms.
• Tell stories quickly when needed and in-depth when required, maintaining accuracy. Living in or familiarity with Nashville or Tennessee communities is a plus.

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in journalism or a related field.
• Expertise using social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, X, Instagram, Tik Tok, Reddit, Bluesky).
• Strong writing with concise style, spelling, grammar, and AP style.
• Good fact-checking and reporting skills.
• Well-organized, detail-oriented, and flexible; able to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
• Facility with AI and automation to enhance journalism.

We encourage you to include a single document (PDF) containing the following in this order: your resume (1–2 pages), a cover letter outlining how you would approach the job, and links to 3–6 online samples showing your work. Assemble items into one PDF to ensure consideration.

• Your resume – 1 to 2 pages.
• A cover letter outlining how you would approach the role.
• Links to 3–6 online samples of your work.

USA TODAY Co., Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse workforce. We consider all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, marital status, disability, health status, pregnancy, genetics, political affiliation, military or veteran status, or other protected classifications. Reasonable accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities or religious needs.

Contact  for accommodations. Applicants must be authorized to work in the applicable location. Applications from outside the region will be removed from our system after submission.