Reporter, Kansas Reflector

Location: Topeka, Kansas
Job Category: Online | New Media
Job ID: 71038
Employment Type: Full time
Salary: per year
Posted: 06.20.2024

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Occupations:

Job Description:

Join Kansas Reflector and give readers hard-hitting coverage that holds powerful people accountable.

Kansas Reflector — an award-winning newsroom that broke the story of the chilling police raid of the Marion County Record newspaper — covers politics, government, civil rights, reproductive health care and other topics of statewide interest. We want a reporter who can write compelling news stories about elected officials, how public money is spent, and the ways that policy decisions affect Kansans’ lives.

Part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news network, the Reflector believes in empowering journalists to do powerful, ambitious work that informs people across the Sunflower State. We aim to tell stories that aren’t being told, to bring fresh perspectives to state issues and to amplify the voices of communities that have been marginalized.

Based in Topeka, this reporter will cover the Legislature, governor’s office, state agencies, the state’s federal delegation, 2024 elections and other assignments. The reporter will produce daily and enterprise stories, take photos, and share content on social media.

The ideal candidate will know how to track trending topics and hold officials accountable through deep source building and public records requests. Their reporting will take readers beyond press releases, providing a deeper understanding of the issues.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Produce regular, high-quality reporting on Kansas policy and officials
• Contribute regularly to outlet’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 to 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

The minimum salary for this position is $52,000 and rises depending on experience. Relocation stipend will be considered. Our generous benefits package includes:

• Premium-free platinum healthcare 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
• Annual DeleteMe subscription

Laptop and any necessary equipment will be provided by States Newsroom.

ABOUT OUR CULTURE

States Newsroom is dedicated to producing journalism at all levels — from quick hit to investigative — but not at the expense of burning out its employees. We are supportive, exciting, 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 two 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 4 posts per week.
 

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, send a cover letter, resume with professional references, and at least five links or clips to jobs@statesnewsroom.com. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.