Criminal Justice Reporter

About the role

The Maine Monitor is seeking an ambitious reporter to cover the state’s criminal justice system as part of our award-winning, nonpartisan, nonprofit news organization. The role will involve reporting on Maine’s law enforcement agencies, corrections facilities and courts through an accountability lens, examining whether these systems are working to serve the people of Maine.

Responsibilities

• Reporting several stories a month, including shorter pieces and longer investigative work, in consultation with Monitor editors.
• Developing a beat and maintaining source networks.
• Pitching stories and taking assignments as needed.
• Upholding the highest standards of journalism ethics and accuracy.
• Working with Monitor staff on audience engagement strategies pegged to specific stories, including public appearances, social media posts, radio interviews and TV interviews.
• Collaborating with other reporters on stories as needed.
• Filing public records requests.
• Taking photographs or developing graphics to accompany your stories.

Requirements

• Has a track record of producing impactful in-depth or investigative stories.
• Aspires to great storytelling.
• Determinedly pursues the truth, digging through records, databases and people’s differing accounts.
• Believes in the importance of exposing wrongs and strives to tell revelatory, powerful stories.
• Is self-disciplined and has excellent editorial judgment and interpersonal skills.
• Is comfortable working both independently and on collaborative projects.
• Can juggle weekly stories and longer-range enterprise and investigative work.
• Is comfortable filing public records requests and can explain the broader context to readers.
• Can write quickly, cleanly and accurately on deadline.
• Is able to speak publicly about their work and represent The Monitor at events.
• Knowledge of Maine institutions is a plus.

Qualifications

• Excellent editorial judgment.
• Meet deadlines.
• Develop and maintain a network of sources.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to organize and pay attention to detail.
• Flexibility and creativity.

Skills

• Excellent writing skills.
• Ability to conduct public records requests.
• Ability to explain the broader context to readers.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Benefits

• $55,000 to $58,000 annual salary.
• Employer-sponsored health, dental, eye insurance.
• Cell phone stipend (nontaxable).
• Retirement savings plan with a 3% employer match.
• Expense reimbursement, according to published policy.
• Short-term disability insurance.
• 15 days of paid time off in the first year of work; 20 days starting with the second year of employment. 6 personal/sick days.
• Remote work and flex time.
• 13 ½ paid holidays.

Pay

• $55,000 to $58,000 annually.

Schedule

• This position is based in Maine. Work can be done from home, but does involve travel for in-person story research and interviews and occasional visits to our offices in Augusta and Hallowell.
• We are a statewide news organization; the person who takes this job must be willing and able to travel to communities around Maine for reporting.

Job Requirements

• Has a track record of producing impactful in-depth or investigative stories.
• Aspires to great storytelling.
• Determinedly pursues the truth, digging through records, databases and people’s differing accounts.
• Believes in the importance of exposing wrongs and strives to tell revelatory, powerful stories.
• Is self-disciplined and has excellent editorial judgment and interpersonal skills.
• Is comfortable working both independently and on collaborative projects.
• Can juggle weekly stories and longer-range enterprise and investigative work.
• Is comfortable filing public records requests and can explain the broader context to readers.
• Can write quickly, cleanly and accurately on deadline.
• Is able to speak publicly about their work and represent The Monitor at events.
• Knowledge of Maine institutions is a plus.

Contact Information

To Apply Via this Google form, please submit a cover letter, resume and story pitch. The resume should include at least three references and the cover letter should include how your interests align with the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting and how your background and skills make you a strong candidate for the position. For the story pitch, please pitch us a story related to criminal justice in Maine and explain how you’d approach the reporting process. (Max. 600 words) Applications must be received before October 11, 2026. Please email contact@themainemonitor.org with any questions or if you have any problems with the Google form.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting/The Maine Monitor is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, marital or parental status, disability, citizenship, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law. We prohibit and will not tolerate any such discrimination or harassment.