Education Reporter, Austin Local Newsroom Job at AAJA25 in Austin

Education Reporter, Austin Local Newsroom

A new Austin community newsroom launching in 2025 and supported by The Texas Tribune is hiring its inaugural Education Reporter.

The Education Reporter is responsible for coverage that makes sense of complicated education policies and their real-world consequences. This reporter will bring nuance and clarity to stories that matter most to Austin’s students, educators and families, ensuring their voices are reflected in our journalism.

A successful candidate in this position will also seek to use education coverage as a vehicle to connect other key issues in the Austin area. This role is not primarily about covering institutions — it’s about centering everyday people in the reporting and producing journalism that helps inform the Austin education community while empowering them to make informed decisions for students.

Ideal candidates have experience covering all stages of education — from early childhood education to elementary and middle school progress, through high school completion and success in post-secondary education. Candidates should have a demonstrated interest in exploring innovative storytelling methods, including short-form video, explainers, graphics and data visualizations, to ensure stories are as impactful and accessible as possible.

The journalist in this position is expected to dive into data for trends and insights and be eager to experiment with new formats that help audiences understand the forces shaping education in Austin.

Most importantly, this reporter should have a passion for connecting with people in the community, bringing their experiences to light, and producing journalism that inspires — at a time when so much news can feel disheartening.

This reporter will thrive on collaboration, whether with colleagues across the newsroom or journalists at other news organizations. Candidates should also be adept at using social media to build sourcing, tell stories and convey information creatively, and reach diverse audiences.

The Education Reporter reports to the Austin community newsroom Editor-in-Chief. The salary for this position will depend on experience. The minimum is $60,000.

Responsibilities

• Identify and pitch breaking news, features, explanatory guides and enterprise stories.
• Write and update stories with accuracy and urgency.
• Collaborate with journalists across departments and formats, including photography and audience engagement, to tell impactful stories.
• Embrace innovative storytelling formats, such as short-form video, data visualizations and explainers.
• Analyze and incorporate data into reporting to reveal trends and insights.
• Use social media both as a reporting tool to build sourcing and as a publishing tool to connect with diverse audiences.
• Moderate panel discussions and represent the newsroom at public events.
• As an authority on Austin education news topics, represent the newsroom and discuss your work with media partners, including on-air television and radio and podcast appearances.
• Be available for occasional work on nights, weekends and holidays as news demands.

Qualifications

• At least three years of journalism experience
• Demonstrated experience breaking down complicated education policy into clear, accessible reporting
• Has a track record of producing accountability stories that have led to discernible change and shaped reforms
• Well-sourced in the education community and comfortable with building a source network in Austin quickly
• Terrific news judgment and breaking news skills
• Demonstrated ability to work well under tight deadlines
• Impeccable reporting, fact-checking and writing skills
• Familiarity with journalistic ethics and libel law
• Embraces collaboration with colleagues and partners
• Experience working with data and spreadsheets is preferred.
• Spanish language proficiency is preferred.

We know some great candidates won’t check all of these boxes, and we know some might have important skills that we haven’t considered. If that’s you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself.

Location

This role will be based out of The Texas Tribune office in downtown Austin.

This job is full-time and has the following benefits:

• Medical, vision and dental insurance
• A cellphone stipend
• 20 days of paid time off each year
• Up to 16 weeks of paid family leave, plus four weeks of additional job protection
• 401(k) matching
• Support for professional training and attending industry conferences
• Remote work flexibility

How to Apply

Submit your application by Oct. 26. Along with a résumé and cover letter, please submit a memo detailing your vision for this position and how you would approach the work.

The Texas Tribune is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.