Sports Reporter - Hibbing MN in Grand Rapids, Minnesota at Adams Communications Co

Sportswriter, Hibbing, MN

Position Summary

The Sportswriter position is responsible for covering local, regional, and community sports through timely, accurate, and engaging journalism. This position researches and reports on sporting events, teams, athletes, coaches, and sports-related issues while producing compelling content for print and digital platforms.

The ideal candidate has a strong knowledge of sports, excellent writing and interviewing skills, sound journalistic judgment, and the ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced newsroom environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Attend and provide coverage of sporting events, including high school, college, amateur, and community athletics.
• Write game stories, previews, features, profiles, columns, and other sports-related content for print and digital publication.
• Conduct interviews with athletes, coaches, athletic directors, parents, fans, and other relevant sources.
• Research statistics, team and player histories, records, schedules, rankings, and other information to ensure accurate reporting.
• Develop relationships with coaches, athletic departments, schools, athletes, and community organizations.
• Identify and pursue compelling sports stories and feature opportunities.
• Cover breaking sports news and provide timely updates for digital platforms.
• Take or coordinate photographs, video, and other multimedia content when appropriate.
• Maintain accurate records of scores, statistics, standings, schedules, and other sports information.
• Write headlines, captions, social media posts, and other promotional or digital content as needed.
• Collaborate with editors, photographers, designers, and other newsroom staff to produce high-quality content.
• Follow established editorial standards, journalistic ethics, style guidelines, and company policies.
• Meet established deadlines and manage multiple assignments simultaneously.
• Attend evening and weekend events as required by the sports schedule.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, English, sports journalism, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience may be considered.
• Previous journalism, sports reporting, newspaper, or digital media experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of sports, particularly local and high school athletics.
• Excellent writing, editing, proofreading, and interviewing skills.
• Strong research and fact-checking abilities.
• Ability to develop professional relationships with sources and members of the community.
• Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively with an editorial team.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively under deadline pressure.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, based on sporting events and news deadlines.
• Familiarity with digital publishing, social media, photography, and multimedia journalism is a plus.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation may be required for travel to sporting events.

Core Competencies

• Journalistic Integrity: Demonstrates fairness, accuracy, objectivity, and ethical decision-making.
• Writing & Communication: Communicates information clearly, accurately, and engagingly.
• Sports Knowledge: Demonstrates a strong understanding of sports, rules, statistics, and the local sports community.
• News Judgment: Recognizes compelling stories and determines appropriate coverage and priority.
• Relationship Building: Establishes and maintains professional relationships with sources and community members.
• Time Management: Effectively manages multiple assignments and consistently meets deadlines.
• Attention to Detail: Ensures accuracy in names, scores, statistics, quotes, and other published information.
• Adaptability: Works effectively in a fast-paced newsroom and adjusts to changing priorities.

Work Environment

This position primarily works in a newsroom and at sporting venues throughout the Hibbing, MN community and surrounding area. The position may require frequent travel and work outside normal business hours, including evenings and weekends, depending on the sports schedule and news demands.

Pay Range: $40,000-$42,000 annually

Physical Requirements

• Ability to attend and cover sporting events in a variety of indoor and outdoor environments.
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, and move around sporting venues for extended periods.
• Ability to use a computer and other standard office and digital media equipment.
• Ability to carry basic reporting or photography equipment as needed.

For additional company information, visit www.adamspg.com.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender