Social Services Reporter, Missouri Independent

Job Description

Join the Missouri Independent and give readers hard-hitting government coverage that connects state policy to Missourian’s lives.

The Missouri Independent is an award-winning nonpartisan, nonprofit news organization that covers state government, politics, and policy. It is staffed by veteran Missouri reporters and is dedicated to its mission of relentless investigative journalism that sheds light on how decisions in Jefferson City are made and their impact on individuals across the Show-Me State. Part of States Newsroom, The Independent believes in enlisting and empowering journalists to do impactful, ambitious work.

The Independent is looking for a seasoned reporter to cover social services and poverty. 

Over the last two decades, Missouri’s social safety net has become tattered. The Department of Social Services has faced criticism from state lawmakers, the federal government, courts and advocacy organizations over its administration of public benefits that impact the lives of millions of Missourians. The state has struggled to meet federal standards for processing Medicaid applications and is being sued for its administration of a food assistance program. Agencies like the children’s division, which is tasked with protecting children from abuse, struggle with low pay and staffing shortages.

This multimedia reporter will tell the stories of the people desperate for help. Working to unspool the issues, the reporter’s goal is to explain the ramifications for communities around the state and delve into possible solutions. They will also focus on lifting up voices who are often ignored in the policy debates that rage in Jefferson City, traversing the state to share the perspective of those impacted by the policies in the statehouse but who rarely have a hand in crafting them.

While the core of the beat is social services, reporters will have flexibility to branch out to health, mental health, labor criminal justice and other issues that relate to poverty in Missouri.

This position can be based anywhere in Missouri, but preference will be given to candidates willing to relocate to Columbia or Jefferson City.  

This reporter will thrive in a collaborative culture, possess great news judgment, and demonstrate the ability to develop a beat to create compelling, engaging journalism. The reporter will also help cover the Legislature, state agencies, statewide elections and other assignments to produce daily and enterprise stories. The ideal candidate will know how to track trending topics and hold officials accountable through deep source building and public records requests. The reporting will take readers beyond press releases, providing a deeper understanding of the issues.

This position is funded by a three-year grant, with the possibility for renewal. 

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Produce regular, high-quality reporting on issues facing Missouri
• Contribute regularly to The Independent’s briefs section
• Generate story ideas with the editor
• Pursue story leads, both self-generated and as assigned, with self-direction and solid news judgment
• Approach assignments on deadline with strong communication and follow through with the editor and colleagues
• Collaborate with other reporters on projects and share research and pertinent knowledge when/if available
• Establish and expand digital media presence representing the outlet and use personal social media to amplify the site’s content, presence, and voice
• Take photos and video to illustrate and amplify stories 

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

The minimum salary for this position is $63,000. Relocation stipend will be considered. Our generous benefits package includes:

• Premium-free platinum health care for employees and their families (i.e., nothing comes out of your paycheck!)
• 4 weeks of vacation per year
• 2 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

ABOUT OUR CULTURE

States Newsroom is dedicated to producing journalism at all levels – from quick hit to investigative – but we also aim to be supportive, welcoming, and positive. 

We believe in creating sustainable careers for journalists on the crucial state government beat. States Newsroom’s mission is to connect people to the power that shapes their daily lives through relentless reporting and incisive commentary on 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 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

We’re looking for candidates with at least five years previous news reporting and/or editing experience (student journalism counts), sound news judgment, flexibility, and the ability to manage ongoing and short-term projects with strong attention to detail and accuracy. Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. States Newsroom journalists are expected to produce at least four posts per week.

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, send a cover letter, resume, and at least three links or clips to jobs<at>statesnewsroom.com. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Due to the high volume of emails received, we are unable to respond to each applicant individually.

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