Hearst Community Newspaper group is a division of Hearst Newspapers and Hearst Communications. We are vital news and information sources for communities in the Midwest and Texas and work to provide information, news and marketing solutions to subscribers and local businesses in the towns we serve. We accomplish this goal by being an integral part of our local communities while tapping into the world-wide resources offered by Hearst Communications.
As a News Reporter you will collect and analyze facts about newsworthy events by interview, investigation, or observation. Report and write stories for newspaper, special sections and website.
Responsibilities and Duties
- Collect, verify and analyze thoroughly newsworthy information
- Assemble findings into a stable story
- Write and deliver news stories with the reader’s perspective in mind
- Receive assignments or investigate news leads/tips
- Abide by journalism’s ethics and codes
- Contact, interview and research sources
- Maintain notes, photos and audio recordings
- Cooperate with reporters, chief editor, producers etc
- Stay up-to-date with the latest current events in the “beat” by studying papers, attending events etc.
- Revise work to meet editorial approval or to fit time or space requirements.
- Review written, audio, or video copy and correct errors in content, grammar, or punctuation and layout pages following prescribed editorial style and formatting guidelines.
- Develop ideas or material for columns or commentaries by analyzing and interpreting news, current issues, or personal experiences.
- Communicate with readers, viewers, advertisers, or the general public via mail, email, or telephone.
- Write columns, editorials, commentaries, or reviews that interpret events or offer opinions.
- Thinking Creatively
Qualification and Skills - Willing to relocate to the Jacksonville area
- Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications or related field required, or other degree and related experience.
- Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
- Knowledge and use of AP Style
- Knowledge in maintaining and driving a digital-first thinking in the newsroom to being able to study and determine trends based on analytics.
- Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process
- Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
- Ability to take photos for print and online use, as well as tone and prepare photos for publication. Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
- Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
- Requires meeting strict deadlines
In accordance with applicable law, Hearst is required to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role if hired in the state of Illinois. The reasonable estimate, if hired in Illinois is $31,200. Please note this information is specific to those hired in Illinois. If this role is open to candidates outside of Illinois, the salary range would be aligned to that specific location. A final decision on the successful candidate’s starting salary will be based on a number of permissible, non-discriminatory factors, including but not limited to skills and experience, training, certifications, and education.
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Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications or related field, or other degree with related experience
- Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods
- Knowledge and use of AP Style
- Digital-first mindset and ability to study and determine trends based on analytics
- Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations and related processes
- Ability to take photos for print and online use and prepare photos for publication
- Strong written communication, editing, grammar and punctuation skills following editorial style guidelines
- Ability to collect, verify and analyze newsworthy information and investigate leads
- Maintain notes, photos and audio recordings and manage reporting materials
- Meet strict deadlines
- Willingness to relocate to the Jacksonville area
Hearst Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Hearst and has not been reviewed or approved by Hearst.
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Healthcare Strength — Healthcare coverage is described as comprehensive, including medical plan choice, full in-network preventive coverage, dental and vision, telemedicine, prescription coverage, and fertility resources. Mental-health resources and other wellbeing services (e.g., therapy sessions, crisis support, virtual physical therapy, and chronic-condition programs) further strengthen the health offering.
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Retirement Support — Retirement support is positioned as meaningful through a 401(k) plan with company matching and Hearst covering plan administration fees. Performance bonuses are also noted as available in some roles, adding an additional rewards component beyond base pay.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time-off benefits include paid holidays, paid sick days, and vacation time with a commonly cited annual range, alongside paid parental leave and family medical leave. A remote work program and flexibility signals are also included as part of the overall rewards experience.
Hearst Insights
What We Do
Hearst is a leading global, diversified media, information and services company with more than 360 businesses. Its major interests include ownership in cable television networks such as A&E, HISTORY, Lifetime and ESPN; global financial services leader Fitch Group; Hearst Health, a group of medical information and services businesses; transportation assets including CAMP Systems International, a major provider of software-as-a-service solutions for managing maintenance of jets and helicopters; 33 television stations such as WCVB-TV in Boston and KCRA-TV in Sacramento, California, which reach a combined 19 percent of U.S. viewers; newspapers such as the Houston Chronicle, San Francisco Chronicle and Times Union (Albany, New York); more than 300 magazines around the world, including Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Men's Health and Car and Driver, and digital services businesses such as iCrossing and KUBRA; and investments in emerging digital entertainment companies such as Complex Networks.
