Regional Reporter

The Texas Tribune, the state’s go-to source for Texas politics and public policy news, is hiring a regional reporter, based in Lufkin, to deliver deeply reported stories on how state-level decisions are affecting residents of the Piney Woods — and East Texas as a whole.

With so much attention focused on the state’s growing urban centers, the impact of state policy on East Texas and its residents are often ignored. We are looking for a reporter dedicated to changing that. Reporting from Lufkin, Nacogdoches, Tyler, Beaumont, Longview, Marshall, Texarkana and other communities this journalist will travel the region to tell the stories of everyday Texans and the impact of state policies on their lives and families.

 
The issues to cover are numerous. To name a few, there are the economy and employment, public schools, transportation access, environmental concerns and access to health care.

While there will be quick-turn stories required of this position depending on the news of the day, this reporter will be primarily focused on producing stories that evoke a sense of place and elevate the voices of East Texas communities.

 
We’re looking for a journalist with a great passion for this part of the state and who is dedicated to reflecting the truth of this region in their reporting. This reporter is expected to pitch and deliver well-reported stories that help drive discourse on a statewide level. There will also be opportunities to collaborate with other Tribune journalists on coverage.

This reporter will also be expected to help with legislative and elections coverage, a staple of the Tribune’s journalism.

This coverage will be informed by the overall news direction and priorities of the Tribune’s editors, and will reflect a deeply collaborative approach to working with colleagues on key beats. The position will report to the Tribune’s regional editor.

The East Texas reporter will actively participate in Tribune events, and represent the newsroom in broadcast media appearances under the guidance of the marketing and communications director.

Salary will vary according to experience; the minimum is $55,000.

• BA/BS degree and 1-3 years of relevant experience OR equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Terrific news judgment and talent for jumping on quick-turn enterprise writing
• A demonstrated ability to work quickly and under tight deadlines
• Impeccable reporting, fact-checking and writing skills with a strong familiarity with journalistic ethics and libel law
• Strong communication and story telling skills using AP style and ability to research and fact check information on your own using excellent writing, reviewing, and editing skills
• Spanish-language skills are preferred

We know there are great candidates who won’t check all of these boxes, and we also know you might bring important skills that we haven’t considered. If that’s you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself.

About The Texas Tribune

Here’s what you should know about the Tribune. From day one we’ve had disruption, innovation and risk-taking in our DNA. We’re ambitious as all get out but still have the punch-above-your-weight mentality of a scrappy start-up. We believe we can meet the demands of our audience and our own expectations for excellence without breaking the bank — or our staff. We understand not everything is a story for us — we have to make choices — but we’re always looking to expand our boundaries. We’re nonprofit because the challenging economic reality for media these days obligates us to find a different way, reliable and sustainable, to fund serious journalism. We’re nonpartisan because we live in the United States of Confirmation Bias — and we don’t need to be part of the problem. We don’t need to be yet another source of information affirming the voices and perspectives that are already in people’s heads. At the same time, nonpartisan is not non-thinking. We call B.S. when B.S. needs to be called.

All of us at the Trib believe the best way to achieve that mission is to resemble the state we cover. We’re committed to building an inclusive newsroom for people of all backgrounds and ages, and we’re taking steps to meet that commitment. We especially encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply for this role, including women, people of color, LGBTQ people and people with disabilities.

Location

The Texas Tribune office is located in downtown Austin, steps away from the Texas Capitol building. This position is based in Austin, but we will consider candidates who are based elsewhere in Texas and can travel occasionally to our Austin office. We have colleagues in the organization that come into the office on a regular basis and colleagues that are based in various cities throughout the United States.

Benefits

This job is full time and has the following benefits:

• Medical, vision and dental insurance
• A $50-a-month 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
• Support for professional training and career development
• Remote working flexibility

How to Apply

Submit your application here by May 13, with a resume and examples of your work, please submit a cover letter detailing your vision for this position and how you would approach the work. We can't wait to hear from you.

The Texas Tribune is 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.