Hearst is hiring: Data Reporter in Norwalk

Job Description

Data Reporter, Hearst Connecticut Media Group

If you love local news, inspiring conversation and challenging assumptions, we want to work with you. Bonus if you can't rest until you've validated your data.

Hearst Connecticut Media Group is the state's largest newsroom, with more than 150 journalists covering breaking news, high school and UConn sports, politics, business, statewide issues, food and trending topics.

We have an immediate opening for an ambitious, versatile journalist who will hustle and compete on the biggest stories in the state.

We're seeking a self-starter with high standards who can collaborate well, has excellent communication skills, is comfortable providing and taking feedback. We want a teammate who aspires to be a key player in an exciting, modern news operation that values a smart, local readership and aims to elevate how we report and present journalism online.

What the data reporter will do:

• Reporting and writing - both alone and with other reporters.
• Web scraping.
• Data cleaning and complex analysis.
• Data visualization, mapping and design, preferably using DataWrapper and Mapbox.
• Conceive ideas and work with reporters, photographers, editors and developers to enhance our storytelling.
• Identify and pursue stories that have a potential for real-world impact.
• Use analytics to understand audience needs and trends, especially for subscribers.
• Research, test and teach new methods for working with data and documents.

What it will take to be successful:

• Experience in a modern newsroom or a related work environment.
• Strong news judgment.
• Curiosity mixed with obsessive attention to detail, especially in data validation.
• Ability to report stories and write and build quickly while keeping the strictest commitment to fairness and accuracy.
• Knowledge of multimedia storytelling, social media engagement and other strategies to broaden readership.
• Ability to collaborate with all newsroom teams and work in a fast-changing news environment.
• Time-management skills to pull off a mix of daily and enterprise work.
• Knowledge of AI and machine learning.
• Willingness and drive to learn new technical and newsroom skills
• Plus: Subject matter expertise in health, education, housing or criminal justice.
• Plus: Ability to speak a second language like Spanish.

Requirements:

• Proficiency in a scripting language such as Python (our preference) or R.
• A sound understanding of basic statistical principles.
• This position is full-time.
• It could include some weekend and holiday work.
• The successful candidate must be based in Connecticut or nearby New York or willing to move to the region.

The Benefits

• Health, dental, vision, disability and life insurance
• 401(k) with company matching
• Three weeks vacation annually
• Mobile phone reimbursement
• Paid training opportunities, including journalism conferences
• Flexible spending account
• Parental leave and support
• Employee assistance program
• Health savings account

To Apply:

Send a cover letter, resume and clips for review.

HCMG is committed to growing and retaining a more diverse workforce that better reflects the communities we serve. We strongly encourage all people of working age, who are traditionally underrepresented in media to apply, including women, people of color, applicants with disabilities, those from the LGBTQ+ community and veterans.

Some great candidates may not check all the boxes for this role. If you're a passionate, dedicated worker who's interested in Hearst Connecticut Media Group but don't have all the skills listed here, please still reach out and tell us more about what you bring to the table.

Here's a look at Hearst CT's 2023 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion report: https://bit.ly/3H7UNkV

This full-time job with benefits is based in Connecticut and is not eligible for remote candidates.