Stateline Democracy Reporter

Job Description

Join Stateline to cover this critical issue, including national trends in state policy and their effects on Americans.

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Stateline is the nation’s first and most comprehensive outlet covering state policy news. Our award-winning journalists illuminate the big challenges and policy trends that cross state borders. We cover health care, education, the environment and other issues that shape our daily lives — and can be influenced by unseen forces.

Part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization, Stateline offers reporters extensive freedom to find and report the best stories on their beats. We’re a collaborative newsroom and seek journalists who are ambitious and eager to stretch themselves, and who believe passionately in our contribution to democracy.

Stateline stories routinely appear in print newspapers and on national news sites, from the Washington Post to the Chicago Tribune to PBS News, as well as on dozens of States Newsroom sites across the country. We’re followed closely by journalists, lawmakers, policymakers, lobbyists and engaged readers.

Our staff writers are located in Washington, D.C., and around the country. We’re flexible about where you live and work, but expect you to cover your region in addition to trends on your beat. Reporters routinely travel several times a year for stories. We’re especially interested in coverage of the West, Southwest, Texas and the Northeast.

We’re looking for a democracy reporter who is hungry to cover every aspect of this crucial issue: election administration, challenges to judicial authority, legal battles over federal vs. state power (as well as legal battles between states and between cities and states), civil rights, voting rights, free speech, campaign finance, lobbying, redistricting and more. 
 

BENEFITS & COMPENSATION

The minimum salary for this position is $80,000 and rises with experience. Our generous benefits package includes:

• Premium-free platinum health care for employees and their families (i.e., nothing comes out of your paycheck!)
• Four weeks of vacation per year
• Two weeks of personal leave per year
• 20 hours of paid volunteer time per year
• 11 paid holidays per year
• $75 monthly cell phone reimbursement
• $200 cell phone replacement benefit every two years
• $75 monthly fitness benefit
• 401K with up to 3% match
• 12 weeks of parental leave
• Full-service EAP
• Annual DeleteMe subscription

States Newsroom will provide a laptop and any necessary equipment.
 

ABOUT OUR CULTURE 

States Newsroom and Stateline are dedicated to producing outstanding nonpartisan journalism that champions democracy – but not at the expense of burning out employees. We are supportive, exciting, welcoming and positive. We believe in creating sustainable careers for journalists on the crucial state policy beat.

States Newsroom’s mission is to connect people to the power that shapes their daily lives through relentless reporting state government and policy. Journalism is a powerful force for social change, uniquely suited to challenging systemic inequality and racism. Our goal is to build an organization that fulfills that mission.

At Stateline and States Newsroom, we believe we strengthen our work and improve our insights when we incorporate the perspectives of people who come from different backgrounds and have had different experiences. We are committed to diversity and prioritize equity in all recruiting and hiring. We are always working to better represent our communities and are supported in these efforts by a network-wide Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice committee.

Job Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal applicant will have at least six years’ professional reporting experience. A background covering state legislatures is welcome but not necessary; you should have an interest in policy and national trends, the forces shaping those issues and how they’re affecting our nation’s residents. Experience covering national issues as an investigative journalist and traveling as a reporter is a plus. You should have a proven commitment to coverage that includes and serves diverse voices and communities.

Attributes we want you to have: Time management, independence, flexibility, excellent writing skills, familiarity with public records, accurate and deep reporting skills, source development skills, creative thinking, a positive attitude, and a passion for working collaboratively.

Bilingual candidates and those with data journalism experience are encouraged to apply.

Authorization to work in the United States is required. At this time, States Newsroom is unable to provide visa sponsorship.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, please send a cover letter, resume with three professional references, and at least five samples of published work to jobs@statesnewsroom.com. Applications will be considered as they arrive.

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