Business and Education Reporter

About the role

The Telegraph is seeking a Business and Education Reporter to cover the schools, employers, institutions, and economic forces shaping life in and around Alton, Illinois, and across our portion of the Metro East.

Responsibilities

• Own the Education and Business Beats: Develop authoritative coverage of K-12 schools, school districts, school boards, educators, students and families, as well as local businesses, major employers, economic development and workforce issues.
• Generate Original Reporting: Build relationships with parents, students, teachers, school employees, business owners, workers, public officials and community members. Regularly pitch stories based on source development, public records, data and firsthand reporting.
• Cover Education: Provide regular coverage of public school districts, school boards and administrators, teachers, students and families. Report on school budgets, enrollment, academic performance, staffing, curriculum, policy decisions, construction projects, consolidation proposals, potential closures and other issues affecting local schools.
• Cover Local Business and the Economy: Report on business openings, closures and expansions; major employers; workforce and labor issues; downtown development; public incentives; commercial development; and the local effects of broader economic changes.
• Produce Daily and Enterprise Journalism: Balance quick-turn stories with deeper reporting that provides context, identifies patterns and explains why an issue matters to readers.
• Pursue Accountability Reporting: Use public records, budgets, contracts, regulatory documents and data to examine decisions involving public institutions, taxpayer money, economic incentives and community impact.
• Cover Relevant Public Meetings: Periodically cover evening meetings, including school board sessions and government meetings involving economic development or major business decisions.
• File accurate, clean stories on deadline.
• Provide Useful, Audience-Focused Coverage: Produce service journalism that helps families, employees, consumers and business owners understand important changes and make informed decisions.
• Tell Stories Digitally: Use photography, video, social media and other digital tools to strengthen reporting and reach audiences across platforms.
• Collaborate: Work closely with editors, reporters, and other colleagues to produce timely and impactful journalism.
• Aid With Major News Coverage: Occasionally contribute to breaking news or general assignment coverage when another reporter is unavailable or when a major story requires broader newsroom support.

Requirements

The successful candidate will receive guidance from editors while also being expected to cultivate sources, pitch ideas and pursue original reporting. The reporter may occasionally assist with other coverage when newsroom needs require.

Qualifications

• Strong Writing and Reporting: An ability to write clearly, accurately, and with authority across breaking news, daily, and enterprise formats.
• News Judgment: A strong sense of what makes a compelling local story and an ability to recognize how institutional decisions affect readers.
• Beat Development: The ability to establish sources, maintain a forward-looking story calendar and develop expertise across two substantial coverage areas.
• Initiative: A self-starter who regularly pitches ideas, follows leads and pursues stories independently.
• Records and Data Skills: Comfort reading agendas, budgets, contracts, government documents and basic datasets. Experience with public records requests is preferred.
• Organization: The ability to manage competing deadlines while balancing daily coverage with longer-term reporting.
• Collaboration: A willingness to work closely with editors and colleagues in a fast-moving, evolving newsroom.
• Published Work: A portfolio of published reporting from professional outlets, student publications or other credible news organizations.
• Digital Skills: Familiarity with digital publishing, social media, photography, video, or audience analytics is a plus. A willingness to learn new tools is essential.

Skills

• Strong writing and reporting skills
• Ability to generate original reporting
• Experience with public records requests
• Familiarity with digital publishing tools

Benefits

• Physical Wellbeing: Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
• Invest for the Future: Competitive retirement plan with matching program
• Moderate Paid Time Off: Recharge with ample time off, including holidays and vacation
• Paid Parental Leave: Support for growing families, with paid leave for new parents
• Monthly Child & Dependent Care Reimbursement: Financial support for the care of your loved ones
• Emotional Wellbeing: Be your best self with our mental wellness benefits
• LGBTQ+ & Inclusive Health Services: Inclusive healthcare designed for every individual’s unique needs
• Fertility Coverage & Menopause Support: Helping you along every step of your family journey
• Pet Wellness Reimbursement & Rover Credits: We care about your pets, too – helping you keep them happy and healthy

Pay

The reasonable estimate, if hired in Illinois is $35,360.

Schedule

Full-time position.