Indy city hall reporter

IndyStar is seeking a local government reporter to cover Indianapolis city hall, one of the most high-profile beats in our newsroom.

IndyStar is winner of three Pulitzer Prizes, including in 2021 for national reporting. We recently received a $2 million investment from our parent company, Gannett, to turbocharge local journalism in Central Indiana. You’ll work with and learn from some of journalism’s best while living in a vibrant and diverse city in the heart of the Midwest.

Indianapolis and Marion County operate under a combined city/county government, and the successful reporter will watchdog public agencies without getting bogged down in bureaucracy. The reporter will listen to and give voice to residents in our diverse neighborhoods while also providing digitally focused news readers can use.

Roads and sidewalks are perennial issues, and of course taxes matter everywhere. The successful candidate will be a good collaborator, working with the Star's public safety, business and state government reporters on topics that cross beats.

The city hall reporter will enjoy breaking big news first, digging through public records and also writing stories that connect with readers on an emotional level.

Our mission is clear: IndyStar informs, empowers and inspires the people of Central Indiana with our journalism. We deliver journalism that is essential to the communities we serve with urgency. We are a people-centered newsroom that’s obsessed with thoughtful experimentation and developing our next generation of industry leaders.

If you’re up to the challenge of moving us forward, read on for job requirements and information on how to share your qualifications and best work.

Key responsibilities:

• Keep track of city-county council and its various committee meetings to identify news that resonates with readers.  
• Become a trusted voice in Indianapolis by listening to and amplifying the concerns of a diverse group of people.
• Watchdog the Indianapolis mayor’s office and various city-county agencies.
• Juggle daily, short-term enterprise and long-term enterprise stories.
• May be required to work an occasional weekend or evening shift.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism or a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience
• At least three years of professional journalism experience.
• An entrepreneurial approach to growing audience and a dedicated following.
• Proven ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to take photos and record video/audio in the field.
• Solid news judgment that’s guided by experience with audience metrics
• Strong sense of journalism ethics and grounding in basics of media law.
• Commitment to reporting with fairness, compassion and sensitivity.
• Command of AP style and dedication to accuracy

Expected pay range:

The pay range for this full-time hourly position is $55,000-75,000.

How to apply:

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 PDF document file that includes the following, in this order:

1. Your resume – one to two pages.
2. A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job.
3. 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.

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