Sports Editor

Sports Editor - The Linn News - Central City, Iowa

Do you love sports, storytelling, and being at the center of your community?

The Linn News is seeking an energetic, motivated, and passionate Sports Editor to lead our local sports coverage across four area school districts. This is a unique opportunity to become the trusted voice of high school athletics in one of Iowa's most sports-passionate regions.

Our previous Sports Editor was recently promoted within our company, creating an exciting opening for the right candidate to step into a growing role with room for advancement.

Whether you're an experienced sports journalist, recent graduate, former athlete, or simply someone who loves local sports and community journalism, we'd love to hear from you.

About The Position

As Sports Editor, you will be responsible for covering local high school athletics, writing game stories and feature articles, building relationships with coaches and athletes, capturing photos, and helping shape the future of sports coverage in our communities.

You'll cover four school districts and have the opportunity to tell the stories that matter most—from Friday night football and state tournament runs to athlete spotlights, feature stories, and breaking sports news.

This is a highly visible role where your work will appear both in print and online and be shared with thousands of readers throughout Eastern Iowa.

Responsibilities

• Cover sporting events throughout the year across four school districts
• Write engaging game recaps, feature stories, previews, and athlete profiles
• Photograph sporting events and community activities
• Conduct interviews with coaches, athletes, and community members
• Maintain accurate statistics, records, and standings
• Create content for our website and social media platforms
• Assist with special sports sections and seasonal previews
• Ensure accuracy, fairness, and adherence to AP Style
• Collaborate with editors, photographers, and contributors to deliver exceptional local coverage
• Generate story ideas that go beyond scores and highlight the people behind the games

Qualifications

• Strong writing and communication skills
• Passion for sports and local journalism
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines
• Knowledge of high school athletics preferred
• Photography experience is a plus
• Experience with social media platforms
• Familiarity with AP Style preferred
• Reliable transportation and willingness to attend evening and weekend sporting events
• Journalism, communications, marketing, or related experience preferred but not required

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who believes local sports matter.

Someone who gets excited about a game-winning touchdown, a school record being broken, a state tournament appearance, or the story of an athlete overcoming adversity.

The ideal candidate understands that local sports coverage is about more than scores—it's about celebrating communities and preserving history.

Why Join The Linn News?

• Competitive pay
• Flexible work environment
• Opportunity for advancement within a growing newspaper company
• Work that makes a real impact in local communities
• Build relationships with athletes, coaches, schools, and community leaders
• Be part of a company committed to strong local journalism and digital growth

If you're ready to tell great stories, build community connections, and become the voice of local sports in Linn County, we'd love to hear from you.

To apply, please send a resume, writing samples (if available), and a brief note explaining why you'd be a great fit for this position to: cnelson@nelsonmediacompany.com

Pay: $13.00 - $15.00 per year

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Central City, IA 52214