Sports Reporter

Job Type

Full-time

Description

The Capital Journal in Pierre, South Dakota, is seeking a full-time Sports Reporter to join our newsroom and deliver compelling, high-impact coverage of local and regional sports. This role will focus on storytelling across digital, video, and print platforms, bringing readers closer to the athletes, teams, and moments that matter most in central South Dakota. This position is ideal for a passionate journalist who thrives on deadline, loves connecting with communities through sports, and is excited to experiment with multimedia storytelling in a digital-first newsroom. This role will help shape sports coverage for a loyal and engaged audience, while contributing to the broader mission of delivering impactful, locally focused journalism in the heart of South Dakota.

Are you ...

• Passionate about sports and community storytelling
• Comfortable reporting, writing and producing content across multiple platforms
• Energized by fast-paced news cycles and breaking coverage
• Creative, collaborative, and eager to grow your skills

Why Pierre?

Pierre isn't just the capital city - it's the information hub of South Dakota, where government, policy, community, and culture intersect. As home to the state Capitol, Pierre is where decisions are made that impact residents statewide, making it a uniquely meaningful place to practice journalism.

Beyond the newsroom, Pierre offers an exceptional quality of life:

• A tight-knit community with small-town charm and big-picture influence
• Easy access to world-class outdoor recreation, including the Missouri River, Lake Oahe, hunting, fishing, boating, and hiking
• Short commutes, affordable living and a slower pace without sacrificing purpose or opportunity
• A strong local sports culture, from high school athletics to community leagues and outdoor sports

South Dakota also stands out for its low cost of living, no state income tax, and a lifestyle built around community, nature, and independence, making Pierre a great place to build both a career and a life!

To learn more about the city, visit: https://www.cityofpierre.org/

Core Responsibilities

• Develop story ideas and produce sports content that engages readers across digital, print and video platforms
• Write game coverage, features and athlete profiles with accuracy, creativity and urgency
• Produce video content, including standups and narration, for digital platforms and statewide broadcast
• Respond quickly to breaking sports news with a digital-first mindset
• Use analytics and audience insights to shape coverage and grow readership
• Collaborate with newsroom colleagues and other Forum Communications teams
• Promote content through social media and contribute to digital growth initiatives

Qualifications

• Journalism or communications degree preferred, or equivalent experience

• Experience with a newspaper, website, magazine, or specialty publication required
• Strong digital photo and video skills, with knowledge of video/photo editing preferred
• Familiarity with digital analytics and social media platforms

• Excellent writing and communication skills, and working knowledge of AP Style criteria
• A strong sense of purpose and urgency for the news
• Ability to multitask and juggle multiple projects in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to work quickly and accurately, using a web-based content management system
• Must be creative, hardworking, collaborative and a self-starter

Expected compensation for this role is between $19.23 and $21.63/hour, based on qualifications and experience.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Forum Communications Company is a family-owned media and technology leader with more than a century of delivering trusted, quality journalism and innovative business solutions. Storytelling is at the heart of who we are, but today, we're so much more than a newspaper. As one of the Upper Midwest's leading media organizations, we're driving the future across print and digital news, sports streaming, technology, broadcasting, commercial printing, and full-service agency advertising.

Our teams are made up of passionate, purpose-driven people who thrive on collaboration, creativity, and continuous improvement. Along with a competitive benefits package, you'll find real opportunities to learn, grow, and make an impact within a culture that celebrates ideas, values people, and knows how to have fun along the way. Come for the perks. Stay for the community.

Forum Communications Company offers the following to all Full-Time and 32-Hour Benefited employees:

• Health, dental, and vision packages
• Paid maternity and parental leave
• Company-paid short-term disability and life insurance
• Additional options for critical illness, accident, and hospital indemnity coverage
• Retirement benefits with company match
• Generous PTO and paid volunteer hours

We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. FCC currently does not offer employer sponsorship.

Salary Description

$19.23 - $21.63/hour