The USA TODAY Network is looking for a New England Connect reporter to join our service journalism and trending Connect team. This reporter will provide timely and audience-focused coverage in every New England state, with a particular focus on video storytelling.
We are looking for a reporter who is quick and flexible — full of topic-focused story ideas, who can urgently pursue them and create videos and articles at volume to meet readers where they are. This reporter should be deeply curious, highly competitive and possess the desire to inform digital audiences. The reporter should be comfortable working with local and national editors and reporters across the USA TODAY Network, and able to seamlessly move among topics. Your pitch starts with the headline, so great digital headline-writing skills are a must.
The reporter will work alongside our USA TODAY Network New England sites or the network Connect editors and content strategists to cover high-interest stories, help swarm breaking news and plan for major events. The position covers all of New England, but is particularly focused on Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
This reporter should be comfortable interacting with and listening to social media and other digital communities. They will use data and analytics, and Google Trends and other SEO tools to inform their story choices and presentation on and off our platforms. This reporter must love telling stories quickly when needed, in-depth when called for, and always with accuracy. They need to be comfortable working with AI tools to enhance our news coverage and be able to work quickly. They need to live in New England or have deep familiarity with the state and the interests of its communities.
The typical shift will start early, but the candidate must be flexible for what the topic needs, meaning nights and/or weekends may also be required. The position is fully remote.
- Monitor email, 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 New Englanders
- Efficiently and accurately create stories and videos, 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 or equivalent combination or education and experience
- Expert at using social media platforms; including but not limited to Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, Reddit, Threads and Bluesky.
- Candidates should have facility with AI and automation and experience in using it to enhance their journalism
- Command of concise writing, spelling, grammar, and AP style.
- Good fact-checking and reporting skill
- Well-organized, detail-oriented and flexible.
- Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
This role is remote and can be based anywhere in the US, except for Alaska, Hawaii and Wyoming.
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:
1. Your resume – one to two pages.
2. A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job.
3. Links to 3-6 online samples of your work, including at least two social videos. 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.
The hourly rate for this role will range between $16.44 and $33.65. Base compensation is reflective of many factors, including, but not limited to, the market in which one lives/works, individual education level, skills, certifications and experience. Note: variable compensation is not reflected in these figures and based on the role, may be applicable.
