Regional Reporter, East Texas

Job Description

The Texas Tribune, the state’s go-to source for Texas politics and public policy news, is hiring a reporter, based in East Texas, to deliver deeply reported stories on the people, places and politics that define the region.

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 how the state and local policy decisions affect their lives.

The issues to cover are numerous. To name a few, there are the economy and employment, public schools, transportation access, environmental concerns and 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 elevating the voices of East Texans.

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 local, state and national 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 regions 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.

Job Requirements

Responsibilities:

• Write accurate, clear and well-reported stories while facing daily deadlines
• Identify and pitch stories on various subjects across East Texas
• Work with other reporters on various assignments
• Collaborate with other departments for various assignments
• Regular travel and occasional work on nights, weekends and holidays

Qualifications:

• 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, writing and editing skills; strong familiarity with journalistic ethics and libel law
• Strong communication and storytelling skills using AP style
• 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.

Location:

This position is based in East Texas, with regular travel throughout the region for work and occasional travel to our downtown Austin newsroom headquarters.

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