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Environment Database/CAR Reporter
Gannett
Indianapolis, IN, United States
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USA TODAY NETWORK is one of the top 20 digital companies in the country, sharing the list with Google, Facebook, and Amazon. And we have over 100 million unique visitors a month, which is more than Buzzfeed, Yahoo News, and Huffington Post. Because our team consists of over 110 local properties with USA TODAY at the helm, you’ll have the luxury of living in a community you love while making a national impact.
The Indianapolis Star is looking for a database reporter to be part of an exciting launch of a new environment reporting team. The reporter in this role would be part of a three-member team devoted to providing significant coverage of the environment in the state of Indiana, as well as the Midwest. This reporter also would work frequently with the Arizona Republic, based in Phoenix, and would collaborate at times with USA Today and other newspapers that are part of the USA Today Network. This is a high-profile position with the opportunity to do ambitious, revelatory journalism on a big stage.
The environment reporting team is the result of a unique collaboration with the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. The trust, which is based in Indianapolis and has a long-standing interest in natural resource protection, is providing financial support to help create two environmental reporting projects – one based in Indianapolis and the other based in Phoenix. The trust has committed initially to three years of funding, but the objective is to keep the work ongoing. The Star and the Republic are providing funding as well and retain all editorial control over content, news decisions and coverage plans.
Points of focus include:
• This reporter will be our key person for computer assisted reporting and database work for the environmental team. As such, this reporter is responsible for mining data sources, compiling and merging data sets, maintaining databases and working with other disciplines in the news operation to create interactive digital content.
• This reporter must be able to work independently and pitch content suggestions as well as effectively collaborate with environmental watchdog reporters to produce stories.
• There will be an expectation to become familiar with and regularly utilize specific databases such as the EPA Toxic Release Inventory, EPA SuperFund Data, EPA Facility Registry Services (FRS) data, NOAA, U.S. Census/American Community Survey data, and state environmental enforcement/management sites.
• Helping readers understand the importance of environmental issues and how they affect quality of life. This could include such varied topics as water and air quality, industrial pollutants, land use, wildlife conservation, agriculture and sustainability efforts.
You may be the right candidate for this job if you have a sharp eye for trends, a healthy skepticism about what works, a passion for telling stories, an eagerness to serve your audience in innovative ways across platforms, a hunger for breaking news, and a desire to learn from a talented group of coaches/editors in a collaborative culture.
The ideal candidate will be a champion for computer assisted reporting who is enthused to work with other CAR reporters – in Indy, Arizona and across the USA Today network – and likely would be involved in training.
Required Skills:
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience
• At least 2 years of applicable experience as a CAR/database reporter
• Proficiency working with database management software that queries and manipulates data, such as Microsoft Access or SQL server.
• Understanding of digital analysis/presentation software tools, such as “R,” Tableau, Infogr.am, Google Fusion, D3, Chart.is, etc.
• Some knowledge of data mapping/GIS software tools, such as ArcGIS, Quantum GIS (QGIS), Tableau, CartoDB, Leaflet, MapBox, etc.
• Proficiency on social media platforms
• Good time management and organizational skills
• Ability to work independently and with a team
• Curiosity and a desire to try new things