Reporter

Date Posted	September 16, 2024
Industry	Digital Media
Specialty	Politics
Job Status	Full-time

Description:

We are seeking a passionate and dedicated reporter to join our team in Austin, Texas, to cover the Texas Legislature. As a key member of our news staff, you will be responsible for providing in-depth, timely, and accurate coverage of the legislative process, state politics, and key policy issues that impact Texans, with a special emphasis on education policy. You’ll be on the front lines of the most important debates shaping the future of the Lone Star State.

Responsibilities:

• Cover the Texas Legislature, including legislative sessions, committee meetings, public hearings, and press conferences.

• Develop sources within the Texas political scene, including lawmakers, staff, advocates, and lobbyists.

• Break news, file stories under tight deadlines, and provide real-time updates on legislative developments.

• Write clear, engaging, and insightful stories, ranging from breaking news to long-form features and analysis on policy, political strategy, and election outcomes.

• Conduct interviews and build rapport with key political figures, analysts, and stakeholders.

• Monitor and report on the influence of political dynamics on key issues like education, healthcare, immigration, energy, and taxes.

• Collaborate with editors, multimedia teams, and other reporters to produce compelling content across digital, print, and social media platforms.

• Attend relevant community events, political functions, and other public engagements to provide thorough and well-rounded coverage.

Qualifications:

• Strong understanding of Texas politics and familiarity with the state’s key policy issues.

• Excellent writing, research, and reporting skills, with a strong emphasis on accuracy and clarity.

• Ability to work quickly and effectively under tight deadlines.

• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain a network of trusted sources.

• Strong communication skills and the ability to explain complex legislative processes in an accessible way for a broad audience.

• Familiarity with digital reporting tools, social media, and multimedia storytelling.

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, political science, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience using data-driven reporting techniques.

• A background in investigative journalism.

• Previous experience in political reporting, preferably covering state legislatures or government institutions.

How to Apply:

Please submit your resume, cover letter, and 3-5 writing samples (preferably related to political or legislative reporting) to nick@reformaustin.org. In your cover letter, describe your experience covering politics and how you would approach reporting on the Texas Legislature.