Multimedia Communities and Government Reporter, The Austin Current

Job Description

The Austin Current, a new Austin community newsroom launching in 2025 and supported by The Texas Tribune, is hiring a Multimedia Communities and Government Reporter to produce digital and broadcast journalism across various platforms and in partnership with other media outlets, including local television stations. This reporter will regularly contribute stories and content to Austin InSight, the flagship weekly news program of Austin PBS, the Tribune’s broadcast partner.

The Multimedia Communities and Government Reporter is responsible for helping Austinites make sense of how decisions made at City Hall, Travis County Commissioners Court and other public institutions affect their everyday lives. By rooting coverage in community experiences and supplementing it with watchdog accountability journalism, this reporter will help residents feel more informed, connected and empowered.

This reporter will also work with Austin PBS, to plan, structure, and write video and TV packages, offering deep dives into The Austin Current’s digital content, including articles, interviews, profiles and investigations. Stand-out candidates will be skilled not only in traditional written storytelling, but also in creating TV news programs or visual news content to the highest standards.

The ideal candidate will be passionate and skilled at telling impactful stories that reflect the concerns of Austin-area residents, using their voices to highlight how local government is responding — or failing to respond — to community needs. Rather than simply recapping city council and commissioners court meetings, this reporter will prioritize the experiences of everyday people, providing context that helps the public better understand local government processes and empowering them to actively engage with civic systems.

The right reporter for this role will be eager to break down complicated policies and use data to uncover trends and insights. This reporter also will be excited to experiment with different storytelling formats — including guides and explainers, short-form video, enterprise features and breaking news coverage — to reach and inform diverse audiences.

Most importantly, this reporter should be driven to report on the real issues shaping Austin’s future, including but not limited to budgets, parks, roads, housing, transportation and elections. Ideal candidates will thrive in the dynamic environment of a startup newsroom, thrive on collaboration, and have a passion for connecting with people in the community to tell their stories.

A successful candidate in this position will also use local government coverage as a vehicle to connect other key issues in the Austin area, such as affordability, equity, infrastructure and civic engagement. This reporter must work closely with colleagues across the newsroom and with journalists in other newsrooms to maximize reach, impact and service to the community.

The Multimedia Communities and Government Reporter, supported in part by Austin PBS, will be a Tribune employee reporting to the Austin community newsroom Editor-in-Chief. The salary for this position will depend on experience. The minimum is $65,000.

Responsibilities

• Identify and pitch breaking news, enterprise stories, features, and explanatory guides about local government and community concerns.
• Write and update stories on the news of the day with accuracy and urgency.
• Collaborate and work with the Tribune’s broadcast partner, Austin PBS, to plan, structure, and write video and TV packages.
• Cover local elections with a focus on how outcomes will affect Austin-area residents.
• Explain arcane policies, government jargon and complicated concepts in clear, accessible ways.
• Analyze and incorporate data into reporting to reveal trends and insights.
• Embrace innovative storytelling formats, including short-form and long-form video, guides, data visualizations and explainers.
• Use social media both as a reporting tool to build sourcing and as a publishing tool to connect with diverse audiences.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the newsroom and with journalists in other news organizations.
• Moderate panel discussions and represent the newsroom at public events.
• As an authority on Austin government and communities, represent the newsroom and discuss your work with media partners, including on-air television and radio and podcast appearances.
• Be available for occasional work on nights, weekends and holidays as news demands.

Qualifications

• At least three years of journalism experience
• Demonstrated experience breaking down complicated government policies and insider local politics into clear, nuanced and accessible reporting
• Experience creating TV, streaming or video news content is preferred
• A knack for building a source network that gives you an edge as a beat reporter
• A track record of producing accountability stories that have led to discernible change and shaped reforms
• Terrific news judgment and breaking news skills
• Demonstrated ability to work well under tight deadlines
• Impeccable reporting, fact-checking and writing skills
• Familiarity with journalistic ethics and libel law
• Embraces collaboration with colleagues and partners
• Experience working with data and spreadsheets is preferred.
• Spanish language proficiency is preferred.

We know some great candidates won’t check all of these boxes, and we know some might have important skills we haven’t considered. If that’s you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself.

Location

This role will be based out of The Texas Tribune office in downtown Austin.

Benefits

This job is full-time and has the following benefits:

• Medical, vision and dental insurance
• A cellphone stipend
• 20 days of paid time off each year
• Up to 16 weeks of paid family leave, plus four weeks of additional job protection
• 401(k) matching
• Support for professional training and attending industry conferences
• Remote work flexibility

How to Apply

Submit your application here by Nov. 9. Along with a résumé and cover letter, please submit a memo detailing your vision for this position and a video — no longer than two minutes — in which you explain how you would approach the work. We can't wait to hear from you.

The Texas Tribune is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

About The Austin Current 

The Austin Current is a community newsroom, supported by The Texas Tribune, that is built to keep pace with Austin’s explosive growth.

We deliver clear, fact-based reporting that helps residents understand how local government and other power structures shape their lives. We dig deep to explain key issues, fill in missing context, and connect the dots behind big decisions. And we equip Austinites with the knowledge and tools they need to engage responsibly, influence the process, and help shape the future of our city.

The Current delivers fearless, nuanced reporting that holds powerful institutions accountable and shows their impact on people’s lives. Our coverage will range from daily stories and breaking news to in-depth investigations, explainers, and voter guides. We will listen closely to our audience, innovate in how we tell stories, and ensure our journalism is accessible, relevant, and impossible to ignore.

Learn more about The Austin Current here.

About Austin InSight

Austin InSight is a weekly news and feature program from Austin PBS, covering issues that impact Central Texas and highlighting the region's vibrant cultural and creative diversity. With content that blends engaging original storytelling, in-depth interviews and analysis from leading local journalists, Austin InSight anchors an expanded commitment to news and public affairs content at Austin PBS on television, online and on the PBS app.

Learn more about Austin InSight here.

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