Public Affairs In-Depth Reporter

Join a growing, dynamic and experienced team of journalists operating a nonprofit, community-supported news source for Springfield, Missouri, a beautiful place to live, learn, explore nature, build a career, raise a family, and more.

The Springfield Daily Citizen's Public Affairs Reporter produces a mix of in-depth and daily news stories on public affairs issues in Springfield and Greene County. The reporter plays a key role in helping the Springfield Daily Citizen fulfill its mission to inform the community and be a catalyst for good. The reporter will develop a broad range of sources, including leaders of local nonprofits, to become a recognized expert on public affairs topics identified as key issues by the community through local efforts such as the biennial Community Focus Report for Springfield and Greene County. The reporter also assists with other news and feature coverage as needed as part of a growing 9-person newsroom team.

Our website and related digital products launched in February 2022 with a focus on helping citizens understand and take action on key issues. We have exceeded original goals for readership and paid subscribers, and have been embraced by our community, which is in a metro area of 475,000 people roughly three hours from Kansas City or St. Louis.

The Daily Citizen is a different kind of news source: a nonprofit run by local people and supported by local people and organizations. And we are committed to presenting news in a factual, nonpartisan manner.

Responsibilities include:

Work with the Chief Executive Officer, Managing Editor and other staff to formulate and execute the in-depth public affairs coverage plan for the Springfield Daily Citizen.
Produces 1-2 in-depth stories per month and at least one major project each year. In-depth stories will be designed to engage citizens across political and social spectrums, encourage discourse, strengthen democracy and/or foster participation as citizens and/or volunteers.
Produce 2-3 daily news and feature stories in a typical week, primarily in core topic areas of recognized expertise.

Required:

Four-year degree in journalism or related field, or experience commensurate with four-year degree.
Minimum of 5 years of daily journalism or similar experience.
Demonstrate advanced understanding of reporting, editing, and other content skills to serve an audience using multiple digital platforms.
Demonstrate investigative reporting skills and ability to generate strong enterprise stories, as well as ability to consistently report and write multi-layered stories that use a multitude of sources.

These would be a plus:

Experience or familiarity with Southwest Missouri.
Passion for coverage of public affairs and broader issues of public concern.
Advanced skills with database journalism.