The Maine Monitor is seeking an ambitious reporter to cover elections and campaigns in Maine as part of our award-winning, nonpartisan, nonprofit news organization. This will include digging into how elections work, the issues and candidates on the ballot, and the role of special interest groups, among other things.

The reporter will contribute to our Election Hub by creating voter guides and other materials, and will be responsible for producing accurate, nuanced stories that inform and empower people in Maine to participate in the democratic process. Outside of election cycles, the reporter will cover the governor’s office, the secretary of state’s office and the State House, operating with an accountability lens. We do not publish commentary, personal essays or op-eds.

The work requires organization and attention to detail but rewards flexibility and creativity. It requires someone who has excellent editorial judgment, meets deadlines and can develop and maintain a network of sources. You should be able to juggle occasional quick-turn stories and longer-range enterprise and investigative work, be comfortable with filing public records requests and be able to explain the broader context — the story behind the story — to readers. 

The Maine Monitor is a digital news operation that publishes enterprise and investigative stories for distribution throughout Maine and beyond. Our work is free to read and free to republish; it has appeared in The Boston Globe, the Associated Press, The Washington Post and other outlets. We are a collaborative newsroom and value people with a willingness to teach, learn and experiment.

Specifically, you will be responsible for:

• Reporting several stories a month, including shorter pieces and longer investigative work, in consultation with Monitor editors
• Cultivating expertise in election administration, policy and related issues as well as covering candidates at the state, local and national level
• Pitching stories and taking assignments as needed
• Producing clear, concise stories that make complicated issues accessible to a wider audience
• Upholding the highest standards of journalism ethics
• Working with Monitor staff on audience engagement strategies pegged to specific stories, including public appearances, social media posts, radio interviews and TV interviews
• Filing public records requests as needed
• Occasionally taking photographs or developing graphics to accompany your stories
• Taking advantage of professional development opportunities as they arise

Qualifications

• Has a track record of producing powerful in-depth or investigative stories
• Aspires to great storytelling
• Determinedly pursues the truth, digging through records, databases and people’s differing accounts
• Believes in the importance of exposing wrongs and strives to tell revelatory, powerful stories
• Is self-disciplined and has excellent editorial judgment and interpersonal skills
• Is comfortable working both independently and on collaborative projects
• Can juggle weekly stories and longer-range enterprise and investigative work
• Is comfortable filing public records requests and can explain the broader context — the story behind the story — to readers
• Can write quickly, cleanly and accurately on deadline
• Is able to speak publicly about their work and represent The Monitor at events
• Has knowledge of Maine politics and institutions 
• Experience working with large datasets is a plus
• Familiarity with campaign finance reports is a plus

We know there are great candidates who have skills we haven’t thought of, or who may have experiences different from what we’ve described. If that’s you, reach out and tell us about yourself! 

We are taking steps to make our newsroom better reflect the diverse communities we cover. We especially encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including women, people of color, LGBTQ people and people with disabilities.

Location:

This position is remote but based in Maine, ideally near the State House. Work can be done from home, but does involve travel for in-person story research and interviews and visits to our office in Augusta. We are a statewide news organization; the person who takes this job must be willing and able to travel to communities around Maine for reporting.

Hours:

40 hours per week.

Compensation and Benefits:

• $53,000 – $56,000 annual salary
• Employer-sponsored health, dental, eye insurance
• Cell phone stipend (nontaxable)
• Retirement savings plan with a 3% employer match
• Expense reimbursement, according to published policy
• Short-term disability insurance
• 15 days of paid time off in the first year of work; 20 days starting with the second year of employment
• 6 personal/sick days
• Remote work and flex time

How to apply:

Please use this form to submit the following: a resume, a story pitch and links to three samples of your published work. Please apply before March 1, 2026.

If you have questions or trouble submitting the form you can email careers@themainemonitor.org.

The Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting/The Maine Monitor is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, marital or parental status, disability, citizenship, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. We prohibit and will not tolerate any such discrimination or harassment.

The Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting and The Maine Monitor serve all of Maine and the diverse communities across Maine. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive board and staff that reflects the society we report on. We are committed to fostering a workplace in which our employees can grow, express themselves, and contribute to the mission and future of our organization.