Crime, Courts & Local Government Reporter-Butte, MT

Lee Enterprises•Butte, MT

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Montana Standard, a trusted daily newspaper serving Butte and Southwest Montana, is seeking an ambitious, watchdog-minded reporter to cover crime, courts and local government. This is a high-impact beat in a historic, resilient community with a strong sense of identity and accountability. We’re looking for a reporter who will be able to juggle a full plate as they will be expected to move quickly on breaking news, keep a pulse on local government happenings and dig into big crime and Butte’s court system. The reporter will lead coverage on crime and public safety news, as well as courts and the local justice system. The beat also includes reporting on Butte-Silver Bow local government, public meetings and key policy decisions that shape the community. The ideal candidate will be proactive about building relationships with sources in law enforcement, courts and government, and will bring curiosity, persistence and a passion for public-service journalism. The ability to analyze public records, budgets and data is important. Beyond daily coverage, we’re looking for someone who can pursue accountability reporting that examines public agencies and elected officials, while also developing enterprise and investigative stories. The beat is a busy one, but we strive to carve out time for deeper reporting that provides context and impact to our readers.

Requirements

Ambitious
Watchdog-minded
Ability to juggle a full plate
Ability to move quickly on breaking news
Ability to keep a pulse on local government happenings
Ability to dig into big crime and Butte’s court system
Proactive about building relationships with sources in law enforcement, courts and government
Curiosity
Persistence
Passion for public-service journalism
Ability to analyze public records, budgets and data

Nice To Haves

Experience with SEO
Web-centered headline writing
Video experience

Responsibilities

Lead coverage on crime and public safety news
Cover courts and the local justice system
Report on Butte-Silver Bow local government, public meetings and key policy decisions
Build relationships with sources in law enforcement, courts and government
Analyze public records, budgets and data
Pursue accountability reporting that examines public agencies and elected officials
Develop enterprise and investigative stories
Provide context and impact to readers through deeper reporting