Local Government, Politics Intern - Summer

Help our team at The Dallas Morning News lead the charge on coverage of North Texas government and politics in a market hungry for it. From breaking news to viral trends, you’ll set the agenda and shape how our audience understands critical local issues. The Local Government/Politics Intern will be assigned a variety of reporting tasks primarily focused on-but not limited to-various events and issues related to government and politics in North Texas.

Assignments will include breaking news, daily news coverage and utility/service journalism that helps our readers. This is a fast-paced, quick-turn job focused on breaking government news, what’s trending and expanding the conversations readers are having online. Ideal candidates will be well-versed in using social media to generate pitches and report stories.

• Write quickly and accurately on a variety of local news topics related to government/politics.
• Use social media as a tool to develop story ideas and respond to what our audience is talking about.
• Build stories with links, tags, SEO best practices, attractive web headlines and multimedia when appropriate.
• Work with editors to develop coverage that resonates with our digital audience.
• Assist with video and audio journalism, as needed.

• Good news judgment, accuracy, speed, grammatical precision, a flair for headlines, energy, curiosity and an ability to provide the best local news coverage with impact, excitement and an eye toward digital success.
• Proficiency in digital content management tools.
• Familiarity with using social media for news gathering and audience development.
• Demonstrated ability to work remotely via smartphone or laptop computer.
• Understanding of platforms and audiences and ability to compose stories appropriate to the platform of publication (e.g., voice, style, formatting, hyperlinks).
• Deep knowledge of SEO techniques and other digital best practices.
• Familiarity with accepted newsroom tools for planning, authoring, communicating, etc.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with team members and across newsroom teams.
• Ability to operate in a fast-paced environment, producing stories quickly and accurately.
• Knowledge of digital news analytics.
• Valid driver’s license and registered vehicle to travel to assignments.