Indiana Local News Initiative seeks a health reporter

The health reporter will be a critical part of the newsroom’s beat reporting team, which will include reporters focused on education, government, and economics. They will develop a strategy to cover the health beat in a way that serves the communities most affected by the health disparities and ensures coverage prioritizes the issues Indianapolis residents care most about.

The ideal candidate will be excited to produce a steady stream of daily accountability journalism that explains the decisions in government and business driving health care policy and provision of services, with a focus on the implications for Indianapolis residents. They will proactively identify high-impact stories that include investigations, news stories, features and explanatory service journalism.

This reporter will be part of a team led by the Managing Editor, News. They will also work closely with the Managing Editor, Innovation, and Community Journalism Director to shape a government beat that reflects community interests. Additionally, they will have the opportunity to experiment with new storytelling formats and team up with data and multimedia reporters to use data, graphics and other illustrations in their work.

Responsibilities & Priorities:

• Produce a steady stream of news and enterprise
• Proactively identify high-impact stories that include investigations but also highlight solutions, actionable information and neighborhood-level trends
• Cover key stories relentlessly, regardless of whether news cycles have passed
• Produce a range of short- and long-term stories, and be excited to work in alternative story formats (including briefs, oral histories, slide shows, video reels) that will increase reach and accessibility to information
• Follow leads from Indianapolis residents and be responsive to their questions and inquiries, prioritizing their needs in story development
• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders to stay informed about and receive tips on newsworthy events and trends
• Working with the editor, ensure beat priorities reflect community information needs and include diverse perspectives in the reporting
• Work with the Indy Documenters assignment editor to identify relevant public meetings or make other assignments that can help with reporting
• Have an urgency to be responsive to community information needs; and an ability to be first on breaking news

You’re a good fit if you have some of these skill sets:

• You’re eager to make your mark on your beat and to work in a high metabolism newsroom
• Experience covering health and heath care, or experience working in a related field
• Demonstrated commitment to local, public service journalism
• Strong understanding and knowledge of Indianapolis neighborhoods and communities and respect for the knowledge community members can bring to the newsroom
• An ability to be a supportive part of a team of reporters
• Stellar news judgment and editorial skills
• Strong communication and writing skills
• Experience telling stories on multiple platforms using audio, social media and/or video
• Ability to work under deadline and prioritize work
• Flexible and entrepreneurial spirit—you can thrive in a startup environment where you are expected to learn as you go and think outside the box
• Ability to work evenings as needed
• Interpersonal/communications skills – willing to negotiate and talk through issues in an honest and clear manner
• Ability to maintain confidence when working with sensitive information
• Ability to interact effectively with a diverse group of individuals internal and external to the newsroom
• Team player – help others and is supportive of a growth mindset, have the ability to see opportunity even in the midst of challenges

‍Salary levels will be commensurate with experience, starting at: $55,000 (early-career reporters); $65,000 (mid-career reporters) $80,000 (senior reporters)

For more information click here.