Reporter, Trenton/Central Jersey

About the role

The successful candidate will serve as NJ PBS's statehouse and capital correspondent, covering the New Jersey Legislature, Governor's office, state agencies, and policy developments from Trenton. This individual will provide in-depth political and policy reporting for broadcast, streaming, and digital platforms and serve as a key resource for NJ PBS's government accountability journalism.

Responsibilities

• Cover the New Jersey Legislature, Governor's office, and state agencies on a daily basis.
• Develop political and policy enterprise stories with depth and context.
• Cover news in Central New Jersey, including Union, Somerset, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, and Monmouth counties.
• Attend and report on press conferences, committee hearings, and floor sessions.
• File content for daily newscasts and digital platforms on deadline.
• Contribute to the booking of guests and interview subjects.
• Participate in editorial meetings, pitch stories and ideas for coverage, and contribute to story selection and news judgment.
• Write and produce video packages for broadcast and digital distribution.
• Maintain close working relationships with statehouse sources, press offices, and policy experts.
• Contribute to political analysis and special coverage, including elections, the state budget, and legislative sessions.
• May substitute-anchor on news programs from time to time as needed.
• Represent NJ PBS in the Statehouse press corps and at related events and community events in the Central New Jersey coverage area.
• Adhere to NJ PBS editorial standards and public media ethics guidelines.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in journalism, communications, broadcasting, or a related field.
• A minimum of three years of video-based reporting experience, including field reporting, and clip and package production.
• Knowledge of state legislative and executive branch processes.
• Ability to shoot and edit video content for broadcast and digital delivery.
• Valid NJ driver’s license.
• Experience with digital and social media storytelling.
• Adhere to NJ PBS editorial standards and public media ethics guidelines.

Preferred

• Prior New Jersey Statehouse or political reporting experience.
• Deep familiarity with New Jersey’s political landscape and policy environment.
• Experience with data journalism or public records analysis.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish.

Benefits

The position is eligible for comprehensive benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, and tuition assistance. For further details, please visit: https://www.montclair.edu/human-resources/benefits/

Pay

$80,000.00 - $95,000.00 annually

Schedule

N/A