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The Texas Tribune, the state’s go-to source for Texas politics and public policy news, is seeking a full-time health and human services editor. The editor will manage our senior reporter for health and human services and reporters covering women’s health and mental health, with responsibilities for conceptualizing, assigning, and editing stories.
The health and human services editor will define how we approach topics including hospitals, nursing homes, public health, eldercare, disability, the medical safety net, reproductive rights, health and hospital financing, Medicaid and the uninsured, health equity, and the state’s treatment of vulnerable Texans, including the foster care system and agencies responsible for people with mental illness and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
There are numerous stories to tell: The state has the most uninsured people in the country, and battles over abortion rights and expanding Medicaid coverage have made national news. The right editor will be equally attentive to finding richly human stories while also providing sophisticated analysis of data and trends. The health and human services editor will report to the Tribune’s managing editor for news. In addition to managing (currently three) full-time reporters, the editor will be assigned student fellows to supervise from time to time.
The salary for this position will vary depending on qualifications; the minimum is $90,000.
This position is based in Austin, but we would consider a remote option for the right candidate, as long as they are based in Texas.
Responsibilities:
- Think broadly and expansively about our priorities and resources to ensure that our coverage includes a strong mix of accountability journalism, features and ground-up reporting on the people and movements that shape and are affected by policy and political discourse.
- Collaborate with colleagues on stories on other beats as needed.
- Collaborate with the Tribune’s data and product teams on daily stories, long-term features and data explorers.
- Collaborate with the Tribune’s Audience, Photo and Events teams to ensure we have rich storytelling that addresses what Texans want and need.
- As part of the editing team, assign and participate in panel discussions for Tribune events and the annual Texas Tribune Festival, an event that has attracted speakers such as Rick Perry and Beto O’Rourke.
- Participate in radio and television hits with our media partners.
- All reporters and editors at the Tribune are responsible for occasional evening, weekend and holiday work, as well as general assignment shifts as news demands.
Qualifications:
- Experience guiding and editing public policy coverage
- A demonstrated ability to work quickly, and under tight deadlines
- A deep commitment to and enthusiasm for both breaking news and enterprise reporting
- Evidence of strong reporting, fact-checking and writing skills and a firm grasp of AP style
- A demonstrated ability to manage a talented and ambitious team, coaching and helping develop reporters with varying levels of experience
- Strong familiarity with journalistic ethics and libel law
- A clear desire and proven ability to collaborate with other colleagues across the organization
- Experience and a deep knowledge of Texas politics and government is preferred, but not mandatory.
We know there are great candidates who won’t check all of these boxes, and we also know you might bring important skills that we haven’t considered. If that’s you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself.
This is a full-time, exempt position with the following Texas Tribune benefits:
- medical, vision and dental insurance
- cellphone stipend
- 20 days of paid time off each year
- 16 weeks of paid family leave
- 401(k) matching
How to Apply:
Click here to submit your application by Aug. 2. Along with a résumé and cover letter, please submit a memo detailing your vision for this position and how you would approach the work. We can't wait to hear from you.
The Texas Tribune is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to diversity and building an inclusive environment for all, and we encourage applicants of all identities, backgrounds, ages, and abilities to apply. Learn more about The Texas Tribune here.