Reporter,-Texas Tribune Initiative

Overview

Austin, Texas, United States

Pro Publica is an independent, nonprofit newsroom that produces investigative journalism in the public interest. Pro Publica is hiring a reporter to join its investigative unit with The Texas Tribune. We’re looking for a dogged, accountability-focused reporter who is passionate about exposing harm and has a track record of producing revelatory journalism over the course of a couple of weeks or months.

The position is part of a collaboration formed between the two organizations more than five years ago that focuses on holding powerful people and institutions accountable. We chronicle gaps in oversight, abuses of power, conflicts of interest and betrayals of the public trust throughout the state.

Texas is at or near the center of many national news stories, and demographic and political shifts often play out there first. With the largest shared border with Mexico, it is the leading frontier in the immigration debate. It is the largest state to approve the use of school vouchers. It’s ground zero for the nation’s fights over energy and natural resources and is a magnet for corporate relocations and technology companies.

It is also home to some of the country’s largest military installations.

We’re Looking for a Reporter Who:

• Has at least five years of experience producing original accountability journalism that has driven meaningful change.
• Strives to report and write accountability and investigative Texas stories that are revelatory, important and powerfully told. A deep knowledge of the state is a plus but not a requirement.
• Has a vision for how they’d approach investigations and concrete ideas for specific wrongs to expose, not just broad themes or topics.
• Has experience with a wide range of reporting techniques and story formats, from underpinning their work with exclusive data analysis to using creative strategies to engage with readers and sources.
• Is a skilled investigative storyteller, capable of delivering findings in ways that connect with readers, either as riveting narratives or short, muscular, vivid investigative reports.
• Produces clear, authoritative work independently and on deadline.
• Is able to bring an accountability lens to the issues of the day through quick investigations reported over a couple of weeks as well as longer projects that may require a few months (or more) of digging.
• Does not shy away from urgent, high-stakes stories that are central to public conversation, which can require carving out a lane amid competition.
• Is skilled s role is already part of a partnership, so you’ll need to communicate well with colleagues both in the newsroom and remotely. We are highly collaborative not only within the partnership, but with news organizations regionally and nationally. We believe we do our best work together.
• Is able to travel, as necessary, for stories, team meetings and trainings.
• Has Spanish language skills. (This is not required but is a plus.)

This job is full time and includes benefits. The reporter will be on the Pro Publica payroll and will report to a Pro Publica editor based in Texas, but they will work with editors and staffers at both news organizations. We are willing to consider any candidates who currently live in, or are willing to relocate to, Texas. We are flexible on where you choose to reside in Texas.

Applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S.

The expected salary range for this position is $95,000 to $140,000.

This is a good-faith estimate of what we expect to pay for this position. The final salary figure will take into account a person’s experience, accomplishments and location. Pro Publica is committed to paying its staff equitably, and these ranges should not be considered career salary limits or caps.

We will begin reviewing applications as we receive them, but we will continue to consider candidates as long as the posting remains live on our site. We know there are great candidates who may not fit into what we’ve described above or who have important skills we haven’t thought of. If that’s you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself.

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