Virginia Tech beat writer — The Roanoke Times

The Roanoke Times is seeking its next Virginia Tech football beat writer. The successful candidate will lead joint coverage of the beat, writing breaking news stories, features, explanatory and investigative articles. You will provide regular and consistent online coverage, including blog, podcasts, video and social media content. When football is not in season, this person will stay on top of the beat while also serving as a general assignments reporter. Duties there could include game or feature coverage of college, high school and other events of interest to Roanoke Times readers.

Essential duties and responsibilities:

• Conceives and executes original story ideas and spots daily stories of interest to Roanoke Times, roanoke.com readers.
  
  
• Possesses the mastery and understanding of the needs of sports readers online (through blogs, breaking news postings, Twitter, etc.), and is also self-directed in this area.
  
  
• Will work with sports editor to devise a “VT-365 plan,” with the goal of having Virginia Tech-related football coverage either in the print or on the web every day of the year.
  
  
• Proven ability to be flexible on sports coverage and work collaboratively in a team-first environment. This reporter will deal on a regular basis with several other staff writers and correspondents.
  
  
• Serves as The Roanoke Times’ ‘face’ of Virginia Tech football coverage, meaning that he or she will be comfortable interacting with readers, representing The Roanoke Times in other media (such as radio and TV interviews) and assisting in marketing plans that are approved by either the editor or sports editor.
  
  
• Keeps abreast of potential Virginia Tech recruits, especially within the state of Virginia.
  
  
• Originates enterprising story ideas and completes such assignments from the sports editor on a wide range of topics.
  
  
• Serve as “lead reporter” and coordinate game-day coverage, or make arrangements for a colleague to do the coordinating if desired.
  
  
• Can file comprehensive game stories on deadline when necessary.
  
  
• Will provide weekly “Game Day” package or work with others who are providing this information and making sure they have accurate information.
  
  
• Provides necessary content for fall college preview magazine, currently title “Game Day”
  
  
• Conceives photo and graphics ideas to help illustrate stories.
  
  
• Develops a wide range of sources.
  
  
• Has knowledge of, or is willing to undergo necessary training to learn Virginia state open records laws and proper FOIA procedures.
  
  
• Will work with the sports editor and online editors when the need to add to our online coverage is deemed necessary.
  
  
• In the offseason, will also serve as a backup college sports and general assignment reporter as needed (although VT football responsibilities will remain primary). The reporter may also be asked to fill in for co-workers who might be on vacation.
  
  

Minimum skills and qualifications:

• Minimum five years daily newspaper reporting experience
• Comprehensive knowledge of NCAA rules, regulations and legislation.
• Proven ability to write clearly, accurately and meet deadlines.
• Skilled in listening, learning and in understanding other people.
• Collegial, collaborative and decisive; comfortable with change and able to adapt.
• Demonstrated proficiency using blogging content management systems and social media tools.

JournalismJobs.com - Job Listing - Virginia Tech Football Beat Writer

 

I don't think anyone has finished reading through the essential duties and responsibilities yet.

 

I guess Andy Bitter went to The Athletic, as previously rumored.

 

Sounds like they’re making a big hiring spree for college football beats ahead of media days.

 

Wow! Right before camp. Better live nearby.

 

This is now official, yes. He had to wait a little to announce it publicly.

 

This was just reposted on Indeed an hour ago. Has anybody heard back from them?

 

Interviews are in progress.

 

Speaking of Bitter, appears he and the paper will be heading to court over his...well their twitter account:The Roanoke Times is suing its former Hokies football reporter over Twitter handle

Don't want to read too much into it, but it could mean they have found their guy and were hoping to give him access soon.

 

Fairly certain they've moved on making a hire. I know someone who interviewed and didn't get the job. Don't know who got the gig, though.

 

But how many followers will the beat writer have for his/her Twitter account?