Chief Statehouse Reporter

The Courier Journal is looking for a watchdogreporter who can lead coverage of Kentucky’s statehouse.

This Chief Statehouse Reporter will be our eyes and ears in the Capitol and must have excellent news judgment as well as the ability toidentifykey issues across state government, particularly the legislature, that will impactKentuckians.Most importantly, this reporter will hold public officials accountable.

The Courier Journal has a rich tradition of statehouse coverage, and this position is prominent,Thesuccessful candidatewill workclosely with the politics editor and other journalists in shaping coverage, Besideswatchdog work, this role will involve reporting on the legislature, which has a 60-day session that starts in January, as well as electioncoverage. Daily stories and enterprise are expected.

The successful candidate willbecome an expert on all things state government and likely findthemselves providinganalyses across platformswhile maintainingappropriate toneand fairness.

Other critical skills include multitasking and the ability to move fast and accurately in breaking news situations. The ability to use the latest in trends, metricsand social tools to inform your story choices in consultation with your editor is a plus, as is comfort with shooting the occasional video.

If you want to be a leader and at the forefront of state government and political coverage, this could be the right position for you.

The Courier Journal is an 11-time Pulitzer Prize-winning news organization in a metro area known for its nationally recognized chefs and restaurants; vibrant music scene, including multiple music festivals; world-class bourbon distilleries; and Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby. The quality of life is sky-highand the cost of living is impressively low.

Responsibilities

Report quickly, clearly and accurately.
Use metrics to inform story choices and shape strategies. This includes being adept at SEO.
Be aware of Gannett properties and work with them on a regular basis. Write local news stories to be consumed by a national audience. Focus on story production details.
Work with editors to experiment with new ways of informing and engaging audiences on social platforms and alternate story forms. This includes experimenting with long-tail (evergreen) content.
Monitor real-time news and sniff out the most important and fascinating stories important to our audiences.
Demonstrate fast news judgment on an ongoing basis

Requirements

Bachelor's or master’s degree in communications, journalism or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience using social media accounts to identify stories.
Strong command of AP grammar and style.
An understanding of reporting ethics, fairness and sourcing.
The ability to collaborate
Experience creating visual news graphics optimized for social is a plus.
A valid driver's license, reliable transportation and the minimum liability insurance required under state law.
Employment is contingent on passing a pre-employment, post-offer background check

About

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.