Community Creator

Description:

Community Creator – Newsworks Lab  

The community creator at Newsworks Lab develops audiences across social and virtual platforms and IRL with dynamic, engaging, interactive reporting that starts with listening to people and then creating compelling content that meets their interests and needs. This person will both pitch and develop their own original reporting, while also supporting the Newsworks Lab team by building audiences for content for other reporting. This person will be equally comfortable working with reporters at university, community and niche-audience newsrooms across western Pennsylvania. 

Every member of the Newsworks Lab team must possess baseline skills along with a unique superpower that enhances overall team strength. Together, we will innovate, fail or succeed quickly, and learn through iteration. Our shared goal is redefining local news for audiences today and into the future. 

In addition to excellent reporting and communications skills, ideal candidates are adept at: 

• Delivering content across platforms (social and virtual)

• Meeting audiences IRL where they are (community meetings, coffee shops, county fair, etc.) 

• Developing enterprising news ideas after talking with people

• Seeing potential sources and stories in every day activities

• Having a competitive, yet collaborative spirit, that demands the best of themselves while inspiring others 

The community creator must have: 

• Demonstrated experience meeting with sources and audiences in real life, and then delivering compelling content in across social and virtual platforms

• Active presence on social platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Reddit, etc. as well as an interest in emerging social, virtual and augmented platforms

• Ability to meet audiences where they are with fun, engaging approaches to often complex and challenging topics

• Comfort appearing on camera, in front of audiences, and in one-on-one conversations with sources

• Willingness to think creatively to implement creative strategies with the goal of quickly failing or succeeding to learn through iteration

Preferred skills include: 

• Experience with accountability and/or investigative reporting

• Understanding of regional issues in western Pennsylvania

What is Newsworks Lab? 

Newsworks Lab is a public benefit company dedicated to investigative reporting in western Pennsylvania. Funded by Trib Total Media and guided by the belief that the news ecosystem is stronger together, its mission is to provide rigorous, open-source journalism that strengthens democracy through innovative storytelling, data-driven reporting, and regional collaboration. The lab is based within Pittsburgh’s North Shore entertainment district. 

What you’ll do:

• Build audiences across social platforms and IRL settings with creative, engaging content that reaches people wherever they are and that brings them together, even when it doesn’t seem easy

• Develop enterprise story ideas based on source development and critical-thinking skills

• Connect with journalists across western Pennsylvania and beyond to develop and deliver original story ideas that reach 

• Deliver journalism across multiple platforms that includes writing, photographs, videos, graphics and audio

• Redefine local news by developing innovative, community-engaged ways of gathering information, developing story ideas and interacting with audiences

Interested candidates should apply at jobs@newsworkslab.com.  A cover letter, at least three samples of your work, and at least five general story ideas are required. If you have questions about this position, email Andrew Conte, editor and director, at info@newsworkslab.com.  

Trib Total Media and Newsworks Lab are Equal Opportunity Employers and encourage all qualified candidates to apply.