State Government Reporter III

State Government Reporter III

Do you thrive on covering high-profile stories about state politics and government? Do you yearn to own the local political story of the moment, the story that’s getting everyone talking? Do you relish the challenge of boiling down complicated government policies in a way so that those topics are understandable and relatable?

Connecticut Public, Connecticut’s statewide NPR and PBS service, is looking for a state government reporter who can tackle daily news stories and in-depth features about Connecticut politics and government for our radio and digital audiences.

The Connecticut Public newsroom is part of a content team that includes 60 journalists –reporters, talk show producers, visual journalists and many others – who are charged with making Connecticut Public a relevant news and information source for people who care about Connecticut. Connecticut Public is a collaborative organization, so we’re looking for a team player and someone who can communicate and coordinate with colleagues – and be open to learning from them.

General Summary

The reporter will be based in Hartford, the state capital, and will monitor daily and weekly developments during the legislative session, but will also find meaningful stories about how the laws passed by lawmakers affect real people, and identify important stories about politics and government around the state. We’re looking for someone who can help explain how politics and policy intersect with public health, education, environment and communities of color, including Connecticut’s growing Latino community. Many people in Connecticut are engaged with politics, government and civic affairs, so stories on these topics resonate with our broadcast and digital audiences.

This reporting position is a two-year position funded by a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Essential Functions

The Statehouse Reporter provides a wide range of services. Applicants must have the ability to complete the following essential job functions:

• Be inclusive, interviewing people from a variety of backgrounds, especially people who are underrepresented in media.
• Build sources, develop ideas and work with editors and colleagues on daily broadcast and digital stories, as well as longer-term stories.
• Collaborate with the newsroom and other departments on optimal placement of stories, whether it be a local radio newscast, online or via NPR.
• Collaborate with visual journalists every step of the way – as an assignment emerges and at the scene of a story.
• Edit audio, focusing on compelling soundbites and sound-rich scenes.
• Record audio in person in the field and on assignment; record audio in virtual settings; record audio from livestreams.
• Research, write, report, edit and voice a wide variety of stories and series for radio and online, as well as social media.
• Transcend the daily news agenda to tell impactful, important, sound-rich stories about people.
• Work with editors and colleagues to help set our newsroom’s daily coverage agenda.
• Write broadcast stories and digital stories.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Responsibilities
This position has many responsibilities. Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Carry out most responsibilities in the field or in the office, be readily available for collaboration and consultation within the newsroom and across the organization, and fill in with reporting needs as circumstances require.
• Serve as a resource for talk shows, and appear occasionally on the air as a guest.
• Serve as fill-in host and on-air fundraiser as needed.
• Work to diversify voices in CT Public news coverage on air and online.
  Additional duties may be required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of:

• AP and NPR style.
• Editing and news tools that support reporting, including Word, Excel, Audition, and digital editing apps.
• Microsoft Office applications, including O365suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Microsoft Project, Smartsheets and Outlook).
• Mission and purpose of CT Public.
• News judgement and an understanding of how to write for radio and broadcast about state and New England regional issues and current events.

Skill in:

• A diverse sense of storytelling in words, audio and video.
• Attention to detail, scheduling and strong organizational skills.
• Audio editing; in lieu of audio editing, a strong interest in sound-rich storytelling.
• Collaborating across the newsroom using strong interpersonal skills.
• Embracing and encouraging the use of new techniques and technologies.
• News judgment and outstanding writing and editing skills.
• Reporting and writing for a digital audience to expand and grow our digital presence.
• Telling local journalism with impact and possessing the courage to take on difficult subjects.

Ability to:

• Adjust on the fly during interviews.
• Be a self-starter who takes initiative and brings story ideas to editors on a regular basis.
• Maintain high journalistic standards under deadline pressure, including standards of objectivity, balance and fairness that meet CT Public, NPR and PBS standards in order to produce regional and national-quality broadcasting.
• Possess a visceral distaste for office politics and gossip.
• Possess initiative and self-motivation, and work with minimal supervision.
• Take creative direction, feedback and constructive criticism from supervisors and colleagues with grace.
• Work with reporters, editors and producers in environments that include remote offices.
• Work in fast-paced environment making smart, fast, solid editorial decisions, under pressure, under strict deadlines.

Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Job functions are typically performed under conditions such as what the Department of Labor describes as light work-exerting up to 25lbs of force occasionally and/or up to 10lbs of force frequently and may include climbing, pushing, standing, hearing, walking, reaching, grasping, kneeling, stooping, and repetitive motion.

Activities of this position may include frequent in-person interactions. It is essential to be able to stand for prolonged periods, perform extensive and repetitive arm motions and use fine motor skills. Must have close visual acuity to perform an activity.

Working Environment
This position is expected to frequently be in the field and conducting in-person interviews throughout the state of Connecticut with emphasis on Hartford and the state house. This position may be exposed to adverse environmental conditions, specifically during field work. Other job functions are performed under conditions such as those found in general office work. There is a potential some remote work, but the expectation of this position is to be on-site. Travel within the state and to our geographically-separated offices will be required.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time, hourly, non-exempt position which may include frequent in-person or virtual interactions. The normal workday is between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm, but does include weekend and evening shifts to support work on an as-needed basis.

Education and Experience
Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications or a related field AND a minimum of five (5) years of direct and sustained professional experience AND/OR any similar combination of education and experience.

We recognize that not everyone enters the world of work with the same advantage, opportunity, and privilege. This is why your skills and experiences are important to us. If you don’t have all of the skills we’re seeking, don’t worry; we’re committed to helping you build the skills to thrive in this role.

Non-Exempt

Hourly Wage

0.00 - 0.00

Disclaimer
CT Public reserves the right to substitute years of experience for certification or degrees. CT Public may expand inquiries into materials submitted in support of an applicant’s candidacy without further permission from the applicant. CT Public reserves the right to modify compensation, benefits, minimum qualifications, desired skills, and job duties for this position at any time. A complete background check is required. Fingerprinting screening may be required.

Connecticut Public Broadcasting, Inc.(CBPI) provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to Protected Classes, including race, color, religion, creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, pregnancy, disability (including physical, intellectual or learning disabilities or past or present history of a mental disability), political affiliation, family responsibilities, age, uniform service member status, veteran status, marital or civil union status, membership in a domestic partnership, gender (including gender identity, gender expression or status as a transgender person), genetic information, sexual orientation, and any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state and local laws. In addition, CPBI complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which CPBI has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. To further the principle of equal employment opportunity for all, CPBI practices affirmative action for minorities and women, the handicapped, and Vietnam-era and special disabled veterans. CPBI expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, sex or sexual orientation, national origin, age, handicap, or status as a Vietnam-era or special disabled veteran.

Connecticut Public is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities in our application and/or interview process. If you need assistance or an accommodation in completing your application due to a disability, please reach out to us as HumanResources@ctpublic.org. Please put “Reasonable Accommodation” in the subject line.