Senior Statehouse Reporter

State Affairs, a national, digital news site reporting on state legislatures around the country, is in search of an experienced journalist to cover critical news and policy coming out of the state capital in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The successful candidate is expected to move into the managing editor role in 2024. The managing editor role currently has no direct reports.

About the position

We seek a full-time journalist with significant reporting and writing experience who can produce well-thought out dailies and enterprise stories on the inner workings of state government, state government agencies, policy makers and other movers and shakers. This journalist is also able to turn around a well-written and reported story on a tight deadline.

Candidates with some editing experience would be nice.

The Senior Statehouse Reporter will work closely with the veteran journalist Jeremy Alford, head of LAPolitics, which is now part of the State Affairs family.

The candidate will, among other things, arrange interviews with government officials and others who can provide information about stories; review copy and correct errors in content, grammar and punctuation, following prescribed editorial style and formatting guidelines; determine a story’s emphasis, length and format, and organize material accordingly; research and analyze background information related to news stories to be able to provide complete and accurate information; gather information about events through research, interviews, experience or attendance at political, social or other functions; and pitch stories to editors that are relevant to the local community.

This position is NOT remote. The candidate will work most days out of the Baton Rouge Statehouse. Candidates not in Baton Rouge or the surrounding area must be willing to relocate to the area.

State Affairs offers health insurance and a generous vacation policy.

The salary for this position is $54,000 to $65,000 annually based on experience.

Required Skills/Abilities

Ability to meet deadline
Clean writer
Persistent
Pays attention to detail
Research skills
Strong reporting skills
Familiarity with data-based reporting
Investigative reporting skills a plus
Digital literacy and familiarity with multimedia platforms and methods
Logistical reasoning and objectivity
Familiar with Associated Press style
Adhere to journalism code of ethics
Strong project management and project planning skills
Demonstrated team leadership experience
Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Ability to communicate effectively with people of all backgrounds
Some editing experience preferred

Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree in journalism or related field preferred, or equivalent work experience
Five years of experience as a reporter or editor; government reporting preferred