Politics and Policy Reporter

Politics and Policy Reporter

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The Politics and Policy Reporter focuses on statewide political leadership, policy, and impact, covering the key policy issues that shape the lives of Floridians. This beat demands a quick, decisive journalist who can break major stories and track their aftermath, from immediate reactions to long‑term consequences. The reporter uses public records, data, and sources to deliver timely, relevant, and impactful journalism that keeps us ahead of the competition while providing thoughtful analysis of how policy affects citizens in communities such as Miami, Orlando, and Tampa.

• Break major political and policy stories impacting the state, with a focus on the governor and primary political leaders.
• Balance urgency and relevance by staying ahead of breaking news while pursuing stories through their full cycle: initial development, public reaction, policy implementation, and eventual outcomes.
• Develop in‑depth timelines, profiles, and explainers that trace political leaders’ evolving stances on critical issues (e.g., mapping changes in the governor’s position on vaccine mandates).
• Engage with sources across the political spectrum, including elected officials, policy experts, advocacy groups, and everyday Floridians, to provide balanced and insightful coverage.
• Monitor legislative developments, executive actions, and regulatory changes at the state level, and contextualize them for a broad audience.
• Contribute to live coverage during elections, legislative sessions, and major policy debates.
• Provide publish‑ready content that serves every newsroom in the state while allowing for unique localization by individual newsrooms.
• Work collaboratively with other reporters throughout the Florida Network to explore the wide‑ranging effects of political decisions.
• Create videos that explain critical issues in an engaging way.
• Facilitate and participate in interactive discussions to surface real concerns and answer pressing questions.
• Use audience engagement and feedback to shape future coverage and respond to emerging needs.
• Uphold the highest standards of journalistic integrity, accuracy, and impartiality.

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, political science, public policy, or a related field.
• At least 2–3 years of experience reporting on politics, government, or policy (Florida experience preferred).
• Proven ability to break news, write quickly and accurately, and develop longer‑term analytical pieces.
• Strong understanding of Florida’s political landscape and key policy debates.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative newsroom team.
• Video storytelling experience.

We are eager to learn more about you and how you fit this role. When you apply, don’t limit your upload to a resume; show us what you’ve done. Put together a single PDF document that includes the following, in this order:

• Your resume (one to two pages).
• A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job.
• Links to 3–6 online samples of your work that best reflect what you can do in this role.

This single document PDF will receive the highest consideration.

USA TODAY Co., Inc. is a proud equal‑opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a diverse workforce. We will consider all qualified applicants for employment and do not discriminate on any basis protected by federal, state, or local law. Applicants who require a reasonable accommodation due to a disability or religion can contact Recruitment at  Applicants must be authorized to work in the applicable location;

applications from outside these regions will be removed from our system after submission.