STAFF REPORTER: THE AUSTIN COMMON

The Austin Common is an award-winning local news site and civic education organization that uses art and social media to make learning about local government easy-to-understand, accessible, and engaging.

About the role

We're looking for a Staff Reporter with a passion for creative storytelling to cover health and the environment, with a focus on our new “So You’ve Been Doomscrolling About…” project. This initiative connects big, anxiety-inducing issues to local solutions, explaining who’s in charge, what’s being done, and how the community can get involved. The ideal candidate is a community builder, experimenter, and civic nerd who thrives in both social media and multimedia reporting.

Responsibilities

• Report local news stories, with a focus on health care, housing, and environmental justice, including:
  • Working with the Editor-In-Chief to pitch story ideas
  • Attending City Council or Commissioners Court meetings (as needed)
  • Interviewing community members, government officials, and experts
  • Building relationships with Austinites with lived experience related to the issues you’re covering
  • Researching and fact-checking stories
• Produce news stories designed for social media, including:
  • Writing short-form video scripts
  • Filming and editing short-form videos
  • Appearing in short-form videos
  • Working with our Artist-In-Residence to create visual guides and infographics
• Collaborate with the Editor-In-Chief to co-produce and co-report stories, including:
  • Brainstorming new story ideas
  • Assisting with research, filming, video editing, and fact-checking
• Engage with the community by:
  • Occasionally attending community events (e.g., art fairs, meetups, craft nights)
  • Tabling at or speaking at events to share your reporting
  • Participating in listening sessions to ensure your reporting serves the community

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree (preferred)
• Experience with local news reporting (professional or internship level)
• Knowledge of Austin’s city government
• Experience with solutions journalism
• Proficiency in video editing software (e.g., CapCut, Adobe Express)
• Ability to turn dense topics (e.g., zoning, the electric grid) into engaging social content

Benefits

• $60,000 annual salary
• $550 monthly benefits stipend
• 3 weeks paid vacation + 2 weeks of company-wide off-time (1 week between Christmas and New Year’s, 1 week in summer)
• Professional development opportunities, including conferences and leadership programs

Schedule

• Full-time salaried position (40 hours/week, Monday–Friday)
• Occasional weekends or evenings as needed
• Work-from-home, based in Austin, Texas
• Must attend regular city meetings, community events, and weekly in-person team meetups