Local Government Reporter

Date Posted	April 18, 2024
Industry	Digital Media
Specialty	Not Specified
Job Status	Full-time

Description:

ABOUT THE JOB 

You will cover local government for a growing, innovative and creative nonprofit news outlet on the forefront of figuring out a better model for local journalism. 

The primary characters in your coverage will be Lafayette, Louisiana — namely the people who live here — and (mostly) Lafayette Consolidated Government, its politics, personalities and prevailing issues. 

Duties include spot coverage of government meetings with a focus on enterprise coverage that puts everyday citizens in the foreground of stories that probe the impact of local government on their lives. 

Major issues include policy and infrastructure decisions influencing the issues of the day, for instance: planning, policing, housing and flooding. 

The ideal candidate is a self-starter with some reporting experience and a demonstrated ability to connect with community members, earn trust and generate impactful story ideas, while balancing near-term and long-term coverage goals. 

Your coverage will also include general assignment duties on topics adjacent to your beat and with local relevance. 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 growing newsroom known for high-impact journalism and community engagement. 

ABOUT LAFAYETTE 

Lafayette is a big town of about 120,000 people and the urban hub for the Acadiana region of Louisiana. Known internationally for Cajun and Creole cultures and folkways, Lafayette is well known for its food and music, both exported internationally, and for its gift for celebration.

Community assets and icons include the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Bayou Vermilion, Festival International, Festivals Acadiens et Créoles and a burgeoning downtown. It’s an easy place to love. And we love it here.
 

Compensation
$35,000-$45,000/year full time + health benefits 

Perks of working for The Current 

• Flexible schedule 

• Work-from-home flexibility  

• Collaborative/creative work culture 

• Paid professional development hours 

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)

To apply

Send your resume to christiaan@thecurrentla.com. Feel free to refer any questions in advance of applying to the same address.