Reporter or Editor Indianapolis Reporter
Job Description
Chalkbeat, the growing nonprofit news organization covering the story of public education in America, is seeking an ambitious reporter to join our Indiana bureau.
As a hub for educational change, Indiana is bursting with important stories to tell. Because of the extensive choice landscape, public education branches into many different schools, which compete for students and resources. Indianapolis Public Schools is undergoing a dramatic transformation that is redefining the role of a traditional public school district. Teacher pay has grabbed the spotlight as a significant policy issue, and the governor has recently seized more power in education after years of heated political battles. All of that sets a backdrop as schools face unprecedented challenges in how to continue teaching students through the coronavirus pandemic.
We’re looking for a reporter who can hit the ground running on a beat. We want you to break news, pitch smart ideas, and execute both quick-turn daily stories and long-term enterprise work.
This reporter will cover education at the state level, translating how high-level decisions affect educators, families, and communities. Your reporting will examine how decisions about what and how to teach play out in the classroom, and how the state holds schools, students, and teachers accountable. You will explain how Indiana’s education policies and politics fit into national contexts. You will shed light on the state’s educational inequities, focusing on socioeconomic, racial, and other divides. You’ll also communicate and build relationships with readers and key players in the local community through our weekday newsletters, social media, and events.
Who are you?
You are committed to local journalism and respect the transformative power a good story can wield.
You’re a self-starter who is hungry to break news, eager to understand and inform vital public policy debates, and enthusiastic about creating new models for sustainable journalism.
You’re a strong beat reporter who can develop reliable sources and beat the competition.
You’ve got the ability to write a range of stories, from breaking news to enterprise and long-term investigative projects.
Most importantly, you can serve as a guide for our readers — school personnel, education insiders, parents, students, and curious citizens — in explaining how education in Indiana works. And you’re not afraid to call its leaders to task when warranted.
What background and skills do you have? (We know not all strong candidates will have all the skills we list. That’s OK. What else do you bring to the table? Please tell us!)
Experience reporting on public policy issues and/or education. (We’re open to hiring veteran reporters and up-and-coming journalists alike.)
A passion for education and the future of Indiana and its children.
Specific knowledge about education issues and the state of Indiana are strong pluses, but not required.
Experience in data journalism and visual production is a plus.
Ability to report in a language other than English is a plus.
The position will be based in Indianapolis and report to our Indiana bureau chief.
This is a full-time position with benefits. Chalkbeat offers a competitive salary, commensurate with experience, and a generous benefits package, including a paid winter recess from December 26-31.
About Chalkbeat:
Chalkbeat is the nonprofit news organization committed to covering one of America’s most important stories: the effort to improve schools for all children, especially those who have historically lacked access to a quality education. We are mission-driven journalists who believe that an independent local press is vital to ensuring that education improves. Currently in eight locations and growing, we seek to provide deep local coverage of education policy and practice that informs decisions and actions, leading to better schools. Read more about our mission and values.
We are dedicated to improving our newsroom, in part by better reflecting the people we cover. (Here is a breakdown of our staff.) We are committed to diversity and building an inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds and ages. And we are taking steps to meet that commitment. We especially encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including women, people of color, LGBTQ people, and people with disabilities.
