Spartanburg Reporter

Burnt out on the churn-and-burn pace of corporate newsrooms? Want to take the leap from reporting for a small-town paper to covering a rapidly growing metro? Just want a chance to flex your investigative skills?

Whatever your situation, if you can write with authority and want to commit high-quality journalism, The Post and Courier has a reporter opening in Spartanburg, one of the region's fastest growing metros.

We're looking for a passionate journalist who goes looking for the stories that will serve and inform the community instead of waiting for press releases you can repackage.

The Spartanburg newsroom is known for its focus on accountability journalism. Our critical reporting on how the sheriff spent local tax dollars set in motion the events that led him to resign, plead guilty to federal charges and agree to never again serve in law enforcement. We're looking for someone who has that same zeal for truth-telling to join our team.

Spartanburg is a great place to live and report. Situated in South Carolina's Upstate, the Spartanburg metro area is driving the region's job and population growth with its massive BMW facility and an array of manufacturers. It's in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, connecting residents with plenty of hiking options as part of a broader array of outdoor activities.

It also has a local water board that's now controlled by a major real estate firm, and a front-row seat to the struggles of maintaining identity and infrastructure amid nearly unchecked population growth, making it ripe territory for an enterprising reporter.

How the Charleston-based Post and Courier ended up in Spartanburg, some 200 miles inland, is a testament to our devotion to informing the public. The Pulitzer Prize-winning organization saw legacy papers withering amid massive mergers and consolidations, and the resulting layoffs.

Seeing that need, The Post and Courier expanded beyond its Lowcountry roots, opening and staffing offices across the state. It's now in Beaufort, Columbia, Florence, Greenville, Myrtle Beach, North Augusta, Rock Hill and Spartanburg.

This job makes you part of that network of award-winning journalists who are committed to shining a light on all corners of South Carolina.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Produce story ideas for your assigned beat.
• Write solidly researched stories that are clear, engaging and concise.
• Produce work that is accurate in fact, tone and implication. And have an understanding of libel law and the rules governing plagiarism.
• Effectively learn and use all job technology and systems.
• Learn and follow all department and company policies and procedures.
• Meet all assigned deadlines.
• Develop a list of knowledgeable, diverse sources.
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications or English preferred.
• Experience writing for a news organization.
• Flexibility to occasionally adjust hours to cover breaking news or weekend and evening events.
• Valid driver's license, good driving record, reliable and insured vehicle.
• Reliable access to internet service.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Strong writing and editing skills.
• Strong social media skills.
• Strong written and oral communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to break news and react quickly to breaking stories.
• Ability to prioritize workload and self-manage projects, handle multiple tasks and meet strict deadlines.
• Knowledge of the community and surrounding cities a plus.
• Ability to adapt to a fast-paced, ever-evolving industry and workplace.
• Strong, professional work ethic
• Ability to work independently remotely, if necessary.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS, WORK ENVIRONMENT, AND TRAVEL:

Regularly required to sit for long periods of time; close eye work on computer screen; required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, bend and stoop; light to moderate lifting 15-30 pounds.

The worker is frequently subject to inside environmental conditions, which provide protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes, and is sometimes subject to adverse outside environmental conditions.

Local travel is required.