Texas Capitol Reporter, The Texas Newsroom
Location: Austin, TX
Contact Name: Rhonda Fanning
Job Description
General Notes
The Texas Newsroom is seeking a senior reporter to cover the state Capitol for audio and digital audiences across Texas and throughout the country.
The Texas Newsroom is the landmark regional news collaboration of NPR and public radio stations across the state. It includes KERA in Dallas/Fort Worth, KUT in Austin, Houston Public Media and Texas Public Radio in San Antonio. This person will be employed by KUT in Austin. Applicants must have a demonstrated ability to work well within a team.
The ideal candidate is obsessed with politics and policy – and is deeply curious about how the decisions made at the statehouse impact the lives of Texans, particularly those who have the least power and the least resources. They can clearly explain complicated bills and legislative process. They have or can build deep sources within the halls of the statehouse, on campaign trails and within communities around the state affected by legislation and elections.
This reporter will cover statewide races and legislative sessions. They’ll dive into big policy debates on issues ranging from education and health care to guns and taxes. They’ll venture away from the statehouse to explore what policies mean for Texans of color, children, rural Texans and other groups. They’ll file spot news stories and audio features, and they’ll write digital stories – all for Texas stations and NPR.
The ideal candidate has experience covering politics and policy, either in Texas or another state. They know how to dive into the nitty gritty of a particular bill or political race – and how to zoom out to tell sweeping stories that explain the politics of our fascinating state and how policy impacts Texans’ lives. We prefer a candidate with audio experience, but we also welcome applications from experienced reporters who are willing to learn audio reporting.
Responsibilities
Report state news content, including newscast spots, feature stories, and live interviews aired during daily programming on Texas stations and NPR, with a focus on creative, original enterprise reporting and analysis, for on-air and online platforms, including Texas Standard, station websites and associated social media channels.
Develop deep knowledge of state Capitol beat. Plan collaboratively with editors to identify story lines. Develop and maintain contacts. Ensure that all content produced meets KUT and Texas Newsroom standards of accuracy, fairness and balance. Actively incorporate multiple perspectives and voices into the editorial process. Identify omissions in our coverage and suggest ways to mitigate them.
Engage with audiences to form a deep understanding of how politics and policies affect Texans’ lives.
Actively collaborate with NPR and public radio stations throughout Texas. Participate in editorial meetings and group editing sessions. Provide editing for broadcast and digital stories as assigned.
Participate in on-air fundraising and make special public appearances as assigned; serve as on-call talent for special coverage during emergencies.
Organize and manage special projects and participate in audience outreach efforts such as hosting live news-focused events, hosting neighborhood conversations and speaking to civic groups.
Develop new treatments for local news products, including podcasts, multimedia storytelling and live, in-person content presentations.
Required Qualifications
5+ years of professional experience reporting for a news organization.
Experience meeting strict deadlines and reporting under strict time limits.
Ability to multitask.
Strong reporting and writing skills.
Solid news judgement.
Knowledge of AP style.
Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.
Preferred Qualifications
7+ years of professional experience reporting for a news outlet.
Experience in a public radio newsroom.
Experience in covering politics, policy and/or statehouses.
Demonstrated ability to conceptualize news coverage for broadcast and digital in creative or innovative ways.
Production skills including ability to use Adobe Audition and mix audio stories for broadcast.
Spanish language skills.
Salary Range
$70,000 – $80,000 + depending on qualifications
Working Conditions
Standard office conditions. Occasional evening or weekend hours may be required.
Required Materials
Resume/CV
3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
Letter of interest
Three links to published stories crafted by the candidate. If samples are not available, include a letter explaining why.
Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.
Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.
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Employment Eligibility:
Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.
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Retirement Plan Eligibility:
The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.
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Background Checks:
A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.
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Equal Opportunity Employer:
The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.
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Pay Transparency:
The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.
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Employment Eligibility Verification:
If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.
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E-Verify:
The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:
E-Verify Poster (English) [PDF]
E-Verify Poster (Spanish) [PDF]
Right To Work Poster (English) [PDF]
Right To Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]
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Compliance:
Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.
The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.
