Job Postings

Louisiana state government reporter, Northwest Louisiana reporter

Description:

The Center Square is seeking two highly motivated, experienced reporters to lead our taxpayer-focused coverage of government and other issues, one in the state capital in Baton Rouge and the other in Northwest Louisiana. We're looking for passionate journalists who have government reporting experience, and a strong interest and understanding of politics and public policy. The Center Square covers government from a taxpayers’ perspective, not from government’s perspective. We hold government officials accountable for their actions and decisions, and inform our readers how those decisions affect them.

The media industry in the U.S. is shrinking, leaving fewer options for readers to digest the decisions made by their state and local government officials. The Center Square, the state-focused reporting division of the non-partisan, non-profit Franklin News Foundation, seeks to fill this journalistic void in both the state capital of Baton Rouge, and in northwest Louisiana, with a particular focus on the Shreveport and Caddo Parish region.

This key role will be joining other state news operations as we expand our impact in the states.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Report on state, local and regional government activity, monitor legislative and policy developments that affect the region, and use public records and databases to ferret out waste, fraud and abuse.
• Promote The Center Square stories to local and regional media partners in the states.
• Cultivate trusted sources to provide leads on potential stories, including those inside and outside government, think tanks, academia, and the business community.
• Monitor the state media landscape to identify popular topics and potential media partners.

EXPECTATIONS:

• Have excellent writing and research abilities, and adhere to Associated Press style.
• Take direction well, and be willing to learn from The Center Square's experienced editors and other journalists.
• Live in the region you are assigned. Meet sources both inside and outside of government.
• Look beyond government-mandated press releases and reports to determine the real impact of policy on taxpayers and job creators.
• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, political science, or a related field is preferred but not required, and at least two years of government reporting experience.

To apply, please send resume and writing samples Dan McCaleb, executive editor, via email: jobs@franklinnews.org.

---------

Apprentice reporters

An apprentice reporter for The Center Square is a journalist near the beginning of their professional career who spends six months under the guidance of experienced editors who will train them on the news gathering, reporting and writing process. The Center Square reports the news on public policy and other matters of interest to taxpayers across the U.S., and apprentice reporters will help us further that mission. These are paid positions, and successful completion of the apprenticeship program could lead to a full-time reporting job at The Center Square.

The Center Square covers government from a taxpayers’ perspective, not from government’s perspective. We hold government officials accountable for their actions and decisions, and inform our readers how those decisions affect them.

The apprentice reporters will help supplement our coverage in key states, including Colorado, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina and Wisconsin.

Duties and responsibilities will include:

• Report on legislative and policy issues and their impact on taxpayers in assigned states.
• Contribute to The Center Square's coverage of key races in advance of the November election.
• Participate in weekly meetings with a Managing Editor, who will mentor apprentice reporters on navigating public records and databases to ferret out waste, fraud and abuse.
• Publish up to 10 news stories each week
• Generate relevant story ideas with frequency, and discuss with managing editor.
• Cultivate trusted sources to provide leads on potential stories, including those inside and outside government, think tanks, academia, unions and the business community.
• Monitor the media landscape to identify popular topics and potential media partners.

Qualifications:

• Passionate about The Center Square’s mission
• Bachelor’s degree or higher
• Background in journalism or journalistic functions
• Familiarity with government policy issues
• Ability to uncover original stories and break them
• Entrepreneurial approach and ability to work independently
• Excellent, proactive communicator
• Demonstrated understanding of planning and budgeting processes
• Ability to travel on an as-needed basis, including regionally when called upon
• Strong commitment to the principles of personal responsibility and free enterprise
  
  Send resume, cover letter and links to clips to dmccaleb@thecentersquare.com.

0