City Hall Reporter
City Hall Reporter
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Job Description
The Austin American-Statesman is seeking a tenacious inquisitive and public service-minded reporter to cover Austin City Hall. This beat sits at the center of one of the nations fastest-growing and most dynamic cities where the consequences of local government decisions ripple across the state and country.
As our City Hall Reporter youll chronicle the decisions and debates shaping Austins futurefrom housing affordability homelessness and public safety to transportation climate policy and how the city responds to its rapidly diversifying population and booming tech sector. This is a high-impact role that demands watchdog reporting explanatory journalism and deep source cultivation.
Why AustinWith a booming population tech-driven economy vibrant arts and culture scene and intense civic debates Austin offers a politically charged and socially complex environment for municipal reporting. Its also a city of contradictions where liberal values clash with conservative state politics housing costs in a historically affordable city and innovation collides with entrenched inequalities.
City government in Austin plays a central role in tackling these tensions. Our readers expect accountability and transparencyyour job is to deliver both.
Key Responsibilities- Report daily on city council decisions city manager initiatives and municipal department operations.
- Develop enterprise stories that connect policy decisions to residents lived experiences.
- Produce accountability journalism that scrutinizes power and gives voice to underserved communities.
- Build a diverse network of sources from policymakers and community advocates to ordinary citizens.
- Write clearly quickly and accurately for digital and print platforms.
- Collaborate with other reporters and editors on major coverage including elections crises and investigations.
- 3 years of journalism experience preferably on a city state or government accountability beat.
- Demonstrated skill in cultivating sources and breaking news.
- Ability to analyze budgets policies public records and data with a critical eye.
- Strong writing skills with a track record of producing clean compelling copy on deadline.
- Spanish language proficiency is a plus.
- Familiarity with Austin or Texas politics is a plus but not required.
- The opportunity to cover one of the most closely watched cities in the country.
- Support for ambitious enterprise and investigative work.
- A collaborative newsroom that values creativity and impact.
- Competitive salary and benefits.
About Business Unit:
The Austin American-Statesman has been the leading source of news and information for Central Texas since 1871 serving a dynamic and fast-growing region anchored by the capital city of Texas. Austin is known for its vibrant tech industry rich cultural heritage influential government institutions and creative spirit.
The Statesmans award-winning journalists provide in-depth coverage of the issues that matter most to Austinites from local government and business to education the environment and Austins ever-evolving music and cultural scenes. With a strong focus on accountability journalism and investigative reporting the Statesman plays a critical role in informing and engaging its community.
About Hearst Newspapers:
With 2500 employees across the nation HNP represents a network of 24 daily and 52 weekly publications including the Austin American-Statesman San Francisco Chronicle Houston Chronicle San Antonio Express-News and Albany Times Union several top digital-only news and lifestyle sites marketing services businesses and entertainment businesses such as King Features Syndicate.
At HNP we are investing in new and innovative ways to tell stories growing newsrooms diversifying tools evolving platforms to support the millions of people who trust us each month to help them make decisions take action and be inspired.
Be a part of something bigger Your Headline Awaits.
Recognizing the diverse needs of our candidates if you are interested in applying for employment and need assistance or an accommodation to use our website or regarding the application process please contact us by email at Please do not use this email address to inquire about the status of applications. We will only respond to inquiries concerning requests for a reasonable accommodation through this email address.
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Employment Type
Full-Time
