USC Sports Reporter

USC women's basketball reporter

The State Media Co. seeks someone to cover the #1 women's basketball program in the country, the defending champion USC Gamecocks.

Games only make up a small percentage of what college athletics are about, and we want someone adept at breaking news, able to separate from the competition with compelling enterprise and creative story ideas, and committed to content that serves our readers first and foremost.

In addition to women's basketball, this reporter will help with team coverage of men's football and be our lead real-time sports reporter to spot and report on trending topics.

Columbia is a vibrant college and state capital city with a low cost of living and a high quality of life. We are centrally located a couple of hours from the mountains and a couple of hours from the beaches, and our community is known for its welcoming nature, unique restaurants and rich opportunities for outdoor recreation.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Report breaking news as it happens - be fast and first, without sacrificing accuracy and clarity
• Build a wide range of sources - from players and coaches locally to agents, conference officials and experts.
• Write analytically for the sports fans who have watched the game but are looking for a deeper understanding of what they saw.
• Proactively look for opportunities to tap into trending topics as they relate to college athletics in South Carolina.
• Work collaboratively as part of a team with other reporters and editors.
• Bring your own story ideas to the table, and be ready to take assignments as well.
• Be a master of social media - both as a news-gathering tool, and as a way to push the news out quickly and build our audience and engagement, as well as your own brand.
• Understand your audience metrics - which of your stories are resonating with readers, and which are not? Working with your editor, regularly mine this data for takeaways about how we can build and engage our audience.
• Regularly enhance your stories with your video, third-party video, embedded tweets and links to related stories.
• Find enterprise stories that make for a deeper read and use storytelling techniques to engage readers.

To apply, include a persuasive cover letter, your resume and four to six examples of your work.

What we'll bring:

As a journalist at McClatchy, you will join a supportive, flexible, collaborative team. McClatchy strives to be an employer of choice, and our benefits package is made with this goal in mind. With a focus on health, well-being, wealth and daily life, our package options include healthcare coverage for employees and their families, financial protection from expected and unexpected expenses, multiple no-cost wellness resources and even coverage for four-legged friends.

Our overall benefits package also includes a 401(k) with employer match, competitive paid time off and corporate holidays, and a variety of mental health benefits. With an excellent support team and with focus on your well-being as a top corporate strategy, McClatchy provides benefits to support you and your family in achieving your health and wellness goals. For more information on McClatchy's benefit plan, please visit McClatchyLivewell.com.

About McClatchy:

Our impact is growing every day. 30 growing markets. Over 65 million monthly readers. 57 Pulitzer Prizes. A strong portfolio of dynamic partnerships and smart investments. Our award-winning journalism, digital reach, and commitment to innovative growth have never been stronger.

As a member of the McClatchy family, you are part of a flexible, empowering, and exciting culture dedicated to creating a work/life balance and consistent opportunities for growth-a place where you have a voice and the ability to impact our future. It's an exciting time to be here. Our company is experiencing the most transformative period in its history. We're growing rapidly in the digital space and delivering award-winning journalism in innovative ways.