National Politics Reporter

The Arizona Republic/azcentral.com, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, is seeking a reporter to cover the biggest political stories of the day at a time of intense division in Arizona and the nation.

We’re looking for a journalist with a passion for national politics and a fast motor who can break stories, cover daily news with context and insight and use skills and nerve to produce important analysis of candidates and elected officials.

This reporter will play an integral role in The Republic’s coverage of the 2024 presidential race, competitive races in Congress, the U.S. Senate race and other news related to national politics and policy.

The candidate must show a can-do attitude, sharp news judgment and the ability to spot stories that will grow our audience through quick, concise and engaging writing.

The position is part of a team that covers presidential politics, the state’s congressional delegation and federal policies affecting Arizona, including immigration and border issues and health care. Expect daily collaboration with your teammates and deep involvement in strategizing and delivering market-leading coverage in the 2024 election cycle.

It’s an essential position in our newsroom and for the USA TODAY NETWORK. Arizona is a competitive purple state that makes it crucial to presidential elections and the fight for control of the U.S. Senate. The state’s Capitol Hill delegation, from Sen. Kyrsten Sinema to Reps. Paul Gosar and Andy Biggs, are frequently in the national spotlight.

The best candidate is urgent in approach, enterprising, flexible and innovative, with the skill and temperament to cover big breaking news. Previous experience covering politics is a must.

We want a journalist who aspires to lead coverage for the region and the state, excels at source development and realizes speaking with real people is essential to the role. We need a reporter who isn’t afraid to ask the hard questions and doesn’t settle for limits set by gatekeepers. Experience with public records requests, deciphering financial documents, and working with databases is preferred.

Equity and inclusion are central to our reporting, and we need a reporter who shares the mission of including the vast array of viewpoints in our communities. The position comes with strong onboarding support, training opportunities and limitless career advancement.

Responsibilities:

Become the community’s leading voice on your topic.
Provide clear analysis of complex issues.
Work with your editor and digital partners to evaluate what's working and what's not and develop ongoing plans to better satisfy audience needs.
Collaborate with photographers to provide all appropriate elements for stories. Capture basic photos and video as needed.
Connect with the community through storytelling.
Promote personal brand, the brands of colleagues and the institutional brand.
Provide great customer service, helping readers find answers and solutions.

Requirements:

Bachelor's or master’s in communications, journalism or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
At least three years of reporting experience in a daily newsroom. Previous politics reporting experience required.
Energetic self-starter and a fast thinker who can spot stories that matter.
Ability to multitask and excel in a fast-paced environment under intense deadline pressure.
Ability to work collaboratively and efficiently with a team of journalists.
Strong communication skills, news judgment and headline-writing ability.
Strong interpersonal skills, including empathy and compassion.
Proficiency on social media platforms; including but not limited to Facebook, Twitter, Threads, Instagram and Reddit, and experience engaging readers in this public space.
Experience shooting and editing photos and video on an iPhone.
Strong writing, spelling and grammar skills and knowledge of AP style.
Command of media law and principles of ethical conduct.
Fluency in Spanish a plus.
This role requires a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and the minimum liability insurance required by state law.
Employment is contingent on passing a pre-employment, post-offer background check, drug screen and motor vehicle record check.

Application Instructions

We are eager to learn more about you and how you fit this role. When you apply, don’t limit your upload to a resume; show us what you’ve done. To do so, put together a single document file that includes the following, in this order:

Your resume – one to two pages.
A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job.
Links to 3-6 online samples of your work. Show us what you’ve produced or had a hand in that best reflects what you can do in your desired role.

It is important that these items be assembled into a single document and uploaded in PDF format. Completing these steps will ensure that your application receives the highest consideration.