Indiana Local News Initiative seeks a K-12 education reporter

The K – 12 education reporter is a critical part of the newsroom’s beat reporting team, which includes reporters focused on government, health, and economics. They will have the exciting opportunity to shape a beat that reflects community interests while producing daily scoops and news stories and ambitious features and accountability projects. Education is central to economic opportunity and social mobility in Indianapolis. It’s a dynamic and diverse environment in which to cover this beat.

As the education reporter, you will tell the story of the school districts in Indianapolis and the surrounding townships, prioritizing the issues that students, parents and teachers care most about. The ideal candidate will be excited to produce a steady stream of accountability reporting that holds administrators and politicians accountable. They will also be creative, with an eye for compelling feature stories and service journalism angles that will help students and parents make crucial decisions.

This reporter will be part of a team led by the Managing Editor, News. They will experiment with new storytelling formats and team up with data and multimedia reporters to use data, graphics and other illustrations in their work. Additionally, they will have the opportunity to work closely with our partners across Indianapolis to shape education coverage across the region.

Responsibilities & Priorities:

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 reporting on education or local school districts, with a packet of clips that demonstrate your ability to hold the powerful to account
Experience as a teacher or working in a school
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
Demonstrated commitment to local, public service journalism
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
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 Practice 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 reporter

For more information click here.

Mariam Ahmed