Sports/news reporter, The Associated Press, Jackson, Miss.

The Associated Press seeks a Sports and News Reporter for its Jackson, Miss. office.

The Sports and News Reporter covers sports and news in the region,
with a focus on strong sports coverage, beat reporting, and source
development. The reporter is part of a wider AP team responsible for
Mississippi and the region and will work across departments and
formats. He/she works with the regional sports editor and the news
editor to set beat agenda and develop aggressive sports and
enterprise reporting for the AP's global newspaper, online and
broadcast audience. The reporter will spend approximately 75 percent
of his/her time covering sports, and approximately 25 percent
contributing to news, particularly during major news events, and to
contribute to the spot news and enterprise report, particularly
during the late spring and summer. The reporter will be responsible
for coverage of the University of Mississippi, Mississippi State
University, Southern Mississippi University and other professional
and college sports in the region. The successful candidate will
report to the Assistant Regional Sports Editor, based in Atlanta. The
reporter must:

* Identify key sources and develop a broad sports beat that
ensures AP is competitive on the most important sports stories
in the territory.
* Identify and develop sports and news stories that break news
and have impact.
* Write game stories and sports enterprise.
* Organize and coordinate freelancers for sports coverage as
needed in Mississippi.
* Work with the staff photographer to ensure complete and robust
photo coverage of major sports games and events.
* Travel to northern Mississippi and other parts of the region
as needed to cover sports and breaking news.
* Write and report compelling sports and news enterprise for
state, national and global audiences.
* Execute those stories in a timely fashion.
* Report and write on deadline in competitive situations.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Candidate should have demonstrated superior news judgment, with
experience reporting and writing news for global audiences on
multiple platforms. Superior writing ability, beat reporting skills
and source development experience required. Candidate must understand
the growing importance of multimedia news and be able to coordinate
with AP staffers from other formats. Candidate must be a creative
problem-solver who can work as a member of a team. Qualifications for
the successful candidate include:

* Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
* Professional sports writing experience in a daily news setting.

* Experience with computer-assisted reporting, FOI and
investigative techniques is a plus.
* A proficiency in multiple platforms, especially video, is a
plus.
* Proven ability to recognize and develop newsworthy stories of
global interest and work accurately under deadline pressure.
* Strong organizational skills with experience juggling multiple
projects across formats and meeting deadlines.
* Well-developed communications skills to work constructively
with staff, member editors and other AP departments.
* At least two years of full-time reporting experience at a
daily newspaper, broadcast station or AP or similar bureau.
* Be able to travel and work a variety of hours to meet the
needs of a 24/7 news organization.

The Associated Press is the essential global news network, delivering
fast, unbiased news from every corner of the world to all media
platforms and formats. Founded in 1846, AP today is the largest and
most trusted source of independent news and information. On any given
day, more than half the world's population sees news from AP.

AP seeks to build an inclusive organization grounded in respect for
differences. We support all aspects of diversity and provide equal
employment opportunity to all employees and applicants without regard
to race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, age,
sexual orientation, disability or status as a veteran in accordance
with applicable nondiscrimination laws.

http://careers.ap.org/viewjob.html?erjob=16969&eresc=ERNOTIFY