Reporter, The Waco Bridge

Location: Waco, Texas
Job Category: Online | New Media
Job ID: 72241
Employment Type: Full time
Salary:
Posted: 03.04.2025

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Occupations:

Job Description:

The Waco Bridge, a new Waco community newsroom launching in 2025 and supported by The Texas Tribune, is hiring its first two reporters.

The ideal candidates will have a passion for Waco and telling local stories that are unique and impactful and drive civic engagement. The reporters must be quick studies on topics including local government, education, and economic development, and they should be skilled at connecting with people from diverse communities across Waco and McLennan County. The reporters should have a desire to produce quick-turn coverage, enterprise stories and guides in service to the Waco community. These journalists must also use social media and in-person events to convey news and information to their audience.

About The Waco Bridge

The Waco Bridge is an independent, nonprofit newsroom dedicated to empowering Wacoans with high-quality local news that connects communities, fosters civic engagement and creates a sense of belonging. We will deliver accessible, free news that connects people with the information they need in Waco.

The Bridge is committed to producing news and information that addresses the needs raised by the communities it covers. Its editorial strategy will be continuously informed through community conversations with Waco residents about the needs they identify as the most necessary. This includes coverage around how local decisions are made and how they impact people differently, how community is being built in Waco, and how development and growth are impacting the future of the city and its residents.

We are committed to working with integrity, inclusivity, transparency and collaboration. We are also committed to working with a sense of service so that Waco residents are better informed about what’s going on in their communities and can better effect positive change.

The Bridge will uphold the highest standards of journalistic ethics and accuracy in our work. We will ensure diverse voices and perspectives are represented. We will operate with openness and honesty and build trust with our audience through clear and candid communication. We will engage with community members, organizations, fellow news outlets and others to help strengthen our collective impact. And we will emphasize solutions-focused work that will help our audience feel a sense of empowerment and agency.

The Role

The Waco Bridge’s reporters will regularly meet with residents, community stakeholders and local leaders to understand the most pressing issues and information needs. That work will lead to research and more reporting that produces a robust bank of guides that empower community members to navigate local institutions and systems, as well as thoughtful storytelling on issues impacting various communities in Waco and McLennan County. 

The reporters will appear on the air with media partners to discuss and share reporting, providing clear context and insight. They will represent the Bridge at public forums, community meetings and events, moderating discussions or panels when appropriate to inform residents about possible solutions and best practices.

They’ll also experiment with and utilize diverse storytelling methods — text, audio, video, social media, etc. — to reach a wide range of audiences in the most effective way possible.

These positions report to the editor-in-chief of The Waco Bridge.

Responsibilities and Priorities

• Build and maintain relationships with diverse communities across Waco and McLennan County

• Identify, pitch and deliver quick-turn stories, guides and enterprise stories

• Produce accurate, clear and well-reported stories while facing regular deadlines

• Collaborate with colleagues on newsroom-wide initiatives as directed by the editor-in-chief

• Moderate panel discussions and represent the Bridge at its own  events and other community events

• Occasional travel and work on nights, weekends and holidays

• Contribute to a daily newsletter that informs Waco residents about the news and information they need

• Collaborate with the community engagement and events manager on creative ways to connect with and build audience

• Serve as a driver of newsroom community engagement by ensuring the Bridge has the skills and opportunities to engage with and listen to the diverse communities of Waco. 

You’re a good fit if …

• You have relevant experience as a journalist covering a local community.

• You can thrive in a startup environment where you are expected to learn as you go, think outside the box, and creatively solve problems on the fly.

• You have excellent communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.

• You have strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Public speaking experience is a plus.

• You can work independently and manage multiple priorities.

• You are proficient in social media platforms and content creation tools.

• You have a passion for Waco, local news and community engagement and are willing to live in the Waco area. 

Compensation and Benefits

The salary for this position will depend on experience. The minimum is $55,000. 

This job is full-time and includes the following benefits:

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance

• Cellphone stipend

• 20 days of paid time off each year

• 12 paid holidays

• Up to 16 weeks of paid family leave plus four weeks of additional job protection

• Annual 401(k) match of $2,000

How to apply

Apply by here March 30 with a résumé and a cover letter explaining why you want to work at The Waco Bridge and describing how your previous experience has prepared you for this role. Please also submit some examples of your work. We can't wait to hear from you.

The Waco Bridge is supported by The Texas Tribune, 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.

Job Requirements: