State Affairs seeks a statehouse reporter

State Affairs, a national, digital news site reporting on state legislatures around the country, is in search of two (2) experienced journalists to cover critical news and policy coming out of the state capital in Indianapolis, IN. The reporters will be part of the State Affairs Pro team.

State Affairs Pro is a platform that provides exclusive coverage of the intricacies of the executive, legislative and judiciary branches of state government as well as state agencies. It is a customizable product that provides reporting analysis and other tools to those political insiders and others who closely follow politics as part of their profession.

About the position:

We seek two (2) full-time journalists with significant reporting and writing experience who can produce well-thought out dailies and enterprise stories on the inner workings of state government, state government agencies, policy makers and other movers and shakers. These journalists are also able to turn around well-written and reported stories on tight deadlines.

The Statehouse Reporters will work closely with the veteran journalist Brian A. Howey, founder of Howey Politics Indiana, which is now part of the State Affairs family. They will also work side-by-side with two experienced, award-winning journalists who work for the State Affairs investigative team on the journalism “consumer” side.

The candidates will, among other things, arrange interviews with government officials and others who can provide information about stories; review copy and correct errors in content, grammar and punctuation, following prescribed editorial style and formatting guidelines; determine a story’s emphasis, length and format, and organize material accordingly; research and analyze background information related to news stories to be able to provide complete and accurate information; gather information about events through research, interviews, experience or attendance at political, social or other functions; and pitch stories to editors that are relevant to the local community.

This is a fast paced work environment. The reporters will be expected to produce short stories daily and periodically enterprise or analysis stories.

This position is NOT remote. The candidate will work most days out of the Indianapolis, Indiana Statehouse. Candidates not in Indianapolis or the surrounding area must be willing to relocate to the area.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Ability to meet deadline
• Clean writer
• Persistent
• Pays attention to detail
• Research skills
• Strong reporting skills
• Familiarity with data-based reporting
• Investigative reporting skills a plus
• Digital literacy and familiarity with multimedia platforms and methods
• Logistical reasoning and objectivity
• Familiar with Associated Press style
• Adhere to journalism code of ethics
• Strong project management and project planning skills
• Demonstrated team leadership experience
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to communicate effectively with people of all backgrounds

Education and Experience:

• Five years of experience as a reporter or editor; government reporting preferred
• Bachelor’s degree in journalism or related field preferred

Salary: $57,500 to $69,000 annually based on experience.

Send a cover letter and resume with at least three writing samples to Alison Bethel, editor-in-chief, at alison@stateaffairs.com. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

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