Investigative Reporter​/Editor

Investigative Reporter/Editor

• Hiring Department: KUT Radio
• Position Open To:
  All Applicants
• Weekly Scheduled
  
  Hours:
  
  40
• FLSA Status:
  Exempt
• Earliest
  
  Start Date:
  
  Immediately
• Position Duration:
  Expected to Continue
• Location:
  
  UT MAIN CAMPUS

The Texas Newsroom is seeking an experienced journalist to lead its investigative reporting unit in telling groundbreaking stories for audio and digital audiences in Austin, across Texas and throughout the country.

The Texas Newsroom is the landmark regional news collaboration of NPR and public radio stations across the state. It includes KERA in Dallas/Fort Worth, KUT in Austin, Houston Public Media and Texas Public Radio in San Antonio. This person will be employed by KUT in Austin.

The investigative reporter/editor will serve as a player/coach, reporting their own stories as well as assembling and guiding teams of public radio journalists across the state, with a special focus on state government. The investigative reporter/editor will spend about a third of their time focused on investigations in Austin and about two thirds of their time focused on investigations elsewhere in Texas that are of interest to a statewide audience.

About two thirds of their time will be spent reporting and one third coaching, editing and project managing.

• Report investigative news stories for on‑air and online platforms, including Texas Standard and station websites.
• Engage with audiences to form a deep understanding of how leaders’ decisions affect Texans’ lives.
• Actively collaborate with NPR and public radio stations throughout Texas. Participate in editorial meetings and editing sessions.
• Manage editorial projects, communicate clearly and coordinate with teams including multimedia and social media.
• Directly manage one reporter, and possibly more in the future.
• Assemble and oversee teams of journalists from public radio stations around Texas. Work with the reporters to develop story ideas and cultivate projects.
• Occasionally contribute quick‑turn stories such as audio newscast spots or digital breaking news stories.
• Occasionally edit broadcast or digital stories and fill in as an editor.
• Participate in on‑air fundraising and make special public appearances as assigned.
• Adhere to accuracy, KUT style and SEO.
• Develop new treatments for news products, including podcasts, multimedia storytelling and live, in‑person content presentations.

• 10 or more years of professional reporting or editing experience.
• Experience using data and public records, and knowledge of open government laws.
• Demonstrated ability to develop sources.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision.
• Ability to coach others.
• Ability to multitask.
• Strong verbal, writing and editing skills.
• Excellent attention to detail with the ability to work well under pressure.
• Solid news judgement.
• Experience working under strict deadlines.
• Knowledge of AP style.
• Familiar with content management systems.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

• Experience in a public radio newsroom.
• Demonstrated ability to conceptualize news coverage for broadcast and digital in creative or innovative ways.
• Production skills including ability to use Adobe Audition and mix audio stories for broadcast.
• Spanish language skills.

$95,000 - $115,000 + depending on qualifications

• Typical office environment

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Letter of interest
• Links to 5 published stories

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University‑Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

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