The Current is seeking a full-time local government reporter beginning July 1, 2024.
Interested applicants can send inquiries, resumes and clips to [email protected].
About the job
You will cover local government for a growing, innovative and impactful nonprofit news outlet on the forefront of advancing the cause of local journalism.
The primary characters in your coverage will be the people, politics and predicaments of Lafayette and (mostly) Lafayette Consolidated Government.
Duties include spot coverage of government meetings and enterprise reporting that probes the impact of local government on everyday citizens, placing them in the foreground.
Major issues include policy and infrastructure decisions affecting the issues of the day, for instance: planning, policing, housing and flooding.
The ideal candidate is a self-starter with at least some reporting experience and a demonstrated ability to connect with community members, earn trust and conceive compelling and novel story ideas, while balancing near-term and long-term coverage goals.
Your responsibilities will also include general assignment reporting on topics with local relevance that are adjacent to your beat. For example: state, regional and federal government; courts; community profiles and features.
The Current is an equal employment opportunity employer, committed to recruiting, developing and promoting a diverse workforce while providing unique opportunities and career paths for our employees. We encourage applicants of all backgrounds and experience levels to apply.
About us
The Current is an award-winning nonprofit news organization serving Lafayette, Louisiana. Founded in 2018, our mission is to produce and sustain high quality journalism for Lafayette and South Louisiana.
We are a scrappy and effective newsroom recognized by our peers for high impact journalism and community engagement. We primarily publish digitally and host a portfolio of community events.
About Lafayette
Lafayette is a big town of about 120,000 people and the urban center of the Acadiana region. Known as the hub for Cajun and Creole cultures, Lafayette is famous for its food, music and culture of gathering.
Community icons and amenities include the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Festival International, Festivals Acadiens et Créoles and the Bayou Vermilion. Check out this New York Times profile to get flavor for life in and around the Hub City.
It’s an easy place to love.
Compensation
$35,000-$45,000/year full time + benefits
Perks of working for The Current
- Flexible schedule
- Work-from-home flexibility
- Collaborative/creative work culture
- Paid professional development hours
- Making a difference
Key deliverables
- Spot reporting published to web and social media
- Ongoing enterprise reporting, including special projects
- Production duties related to newsletter products
- Regular attendance at relevant public meetings
- Collaborations with audience team on community engagement and events
Required qualifications & experience
- Command of AP style
- 1-2 years reporting experience or clips demonstrating reporting ability
- Proficiency with digital collaboration tools (Slack, Google Drive)
- Familiarity with content management systems (e.g. WordPress)
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with data journalism techniques
- Experience with basic investigative techniques
- Experience in local government reporting
- Proficiency with multimedia storytelling (audio, video)