Local Government & Communities Reporter

About the role

The Local Government & Communities Reporter, based in San Antonio, reports on local government, public policy and civic life with a focus on how decisions made by public officials shape people’s daily lives and communities.

This reporter tracks daily developments at City Hall, county government and across local government agencies while also producing public service journalism, breaking news coverage, important alerts, explanatory reporting and accountability journalism on issues including housing, growth, infrastructure, public safety, transportation, climate resilience and neighborhood change.

Responsibilities

• Produces original enterprise reporting on San Antonio City Council, local government agencies and significant civic and public policy developments impacting South Texas communities.
• Produces daily coverage and breaking news related to local government and public policy.
• Develops original explanatory, investigative and accountability journalism that analyzes the impact of local government and public policy decisions on communities and civic life.
• Produces in-depth reporting on housing, transportation, infrastructure, public safety, growth and development, climate resilience, and neighborhood change affecting South Texas communities.
• Conceives, develops and executes original enterprise and investigative story ideas, exercising independent editorial judgment in researching, structuring and producing multi-platform journalism for broadcast, digital and social audiences.
• Develops relationships with community members, public officials, advocates, and subject-matter experts.
• Conducts independent research and analysis using public records, data sets and documentary sources to develop original, accountability-driven journalism.
• Collaborates with journalists across Texas Public Radio and The Texas Newsroom on coverage of statewide issues, accountability reporting and stories connecting local communities to broader regional and state trends.
• Participates in daily editorial meetings and collaborates on special coverage and newsroom initiatives.
• Represents the organization at community events, public forums and civic gatherings, contributing to audience engagement, source development and the advancement of enterprise reporting priorities.
• Uses social media applications to disseminate news and engage audiences.
• Fulfills administrative obligations related to assignments, including timely communication with editors, accurate story summaries and expense reports.
• Participates appropriately in station fundraising, sponsorship activities and live events.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated sound news judgment.
• A passion for the mission of public radio.
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills, including the ability to work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
• Demonstrated ability to write clear, accurate and compelling stories for broadcast and online.
• Ability to explain complex topics in accessible and engaging ways.
• Experience with public records requests.
• Experience using audio editing software and equipment to produce broadcast content.
• Techonologically versatile and proficient in Microsoft Office, Google Drive and organizational/communication software, with willingness to expand skills.
• Multi-media reporting and digital storytelling skills are desirable.
• Demonstrated professionalism and strong collaborative skills.
• Self-motivated, with the ability to work efficiently with limited direct supervision.
• Able to balance daily coverage with medium- and long-term story development.
• Able to work extended hours as needed and travel, sometimes on short notice.
• Able to work story destinations in a timely manner.