Madison Culture Reporter

Description:

Madison Culture Reporter

The Cap Times and captimes.com is seeking an experienced reporter who enjoys networking, identifying trends and finding scoops to lead our coverage of how people live, eat, play and create connection in Madison and Dane County.

This reporter will pitch and write high-interest stories in a range of formats (i.e. quick-hits, profiles, explainers, long-form). Your journalism will help ensure the community is informed about local events and entertainment, changes in the local restaurant and bar scene, Madison’s ever-changing neighborhoods and cultural expression.

The Madison culture reporter draws from a wide array of topics related to the beat and will have a variety of experiences. The reporter may write about Wisconsin Badgers fandom and recreational sports at times, but also local architecture and history, public art, important local cultural figures (including feature obituaries) and enterprise pieces about how people live.

This reporter may also cover hard news stories connected to their areas of coverage, like a labor dispute at a restaurant or arts organization, a bankruptcy filing or discrimination claims.

Special attention is required within the Madison area specifically, aiming for coverage not found elsewhere.

The ideal candidate will have photo and video experience and a keen understanding of social media audiences, to help their journalism reach a large number of local residents.

Above all, this role is about producing thoughtful, well-sourced journalism that helps readers understand how changes and unique features in the Madison-area cultural landscape affect their daily lives and community.

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing a diverse network of sources to deliver a steady stream of stories, scoops and coverage that readers can’t find anywhere else. Typically produce two to three stories a week, unless breaking news requires more or time working on deeper stories requires fewer.
• Occasionally shooting photos and videos to illustrate your stories and to promote them on social media.
• Being present in the community. During coverage of restaurants, community events and entertainment, deliberately seeking new story ideas.
• Contributing to Cap Times newsletters as assigned.
• Producing sharp and concise writing that engages readers, follows AP Style and requires minimal editing.
• Continuously looking for ways to improve coverage and grow the audience, paying close attention to readership metrics on stories.
• Planning and participating in occasional events, such as dining events with members, presentations with community groups or Cap Times Idea Fest.
• Working in the office, at home and in the field. While most work can be conducted during the day on weekdays, the demands of food and culture coverage can require evening and weekend availability. 
• Fulfilling a commitment to journalism that pursues stories with an open mind, treats sources and others with respect, and reflects Madison’s diverse population.

Required skills/experience:

●      At least one year of professional experience in a daily news operation, which may include internships.

●      A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in journalism or a related field.

●      Experience with writing tools, such as Google Documents or Microsoft Word.

●      Valid driver’s license and proof of automobile insurance.

Bonus skills/experience:

●      Experience reporting on arts and entertainment and other features.

●      Experience covering food and drink topics.

●      Experience using social media, audience metrics or other tools to inform coverage.

●      Knowledge of Madison and/or Wisconsin.

●      Bilingual or multilingual.

Benefits offered include medical, dental and vision insurances; company-paid life insurance; company matched 401(k); employee assistance program; and paid time off, sick and holiday time.

Pre-employment background and drug screenings apply.

The Cap Times is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to maintaining a workforce that accurately reflects our audience and expands our voice. Women, people of color and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

How to apply:

Please submit a resume, cover letter and up to three clips to Editor Mark Treinen at mtreinen@captimes.com.

About the Cap Times:

The Cap Times (formally, The Capital Times) has a rich, deep history in Madison. Today, we are foremost an independent newsroom that delivers local journalism focused on Madison. We produce a weekly print newspaper, but our primary delivery is digital and social media. We are also a source of progressive opinion, and we host excellent events, highlighted by the annual Cap Times Idea Fest each fall. The Cap Times is additionally a major source of philanthropy in the community thanks to the foundation named for our founder, William T. Evjue.

Now is an exciting time to join the Cap Times! Our digital journalism, email newsletters, member benefits and events are becoming increasingly popular in the community. We are continually looking for ways to evolve amid journalism’s transformation, and we want innovative, creative minds to be part of that process here. Our newsroom is filled with passionate journalists who want to help Madison become a better place to live, work and raise families. We offer a fun, team-driven environment to produce local journalism that has an impact.

About Madison:

Madison is one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the United States and home to more than 280,000 people, the Wisconsin state Capitol, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a growing biotech industry, as well as a vibrant restaurant and entertainment scene. Located between lakes Mendota and Monona on an isthmus, the city also boasts many opportunities for outdoor recreation on the water, on its many miles of bike paths, and in abundant city and Dane County parks.