Local Politics Reporter

Advance Media•Woodbridge Township, NJ

1d•$65,000 - $85,000•Onsite

About The Position

NJ.com is seeking an experienced journalist to cover politics, conflict, and power struggles in New Jersey's towns, school districts, and local and state government agencies. The Local Politics Reporter will focus on the politics of local flashpoints such as school board fights, town hall power struggles, and controversies that impact the entire state. The role involves detailed reporting, sharp writing, and engaging storytelling to elevate these issues. The reporter will also cover Statehouse issues like the state budget and the governor's agenda when they directly affect New Jersey residents. Coverage will include breaking news, short-term enterprise, trend pieces, and potentially longform stories. The position also encourages thinking beyond the written word, with fluency in social video storytelling, podcasts, and other multimedia formats being a plus. The newsroom is committed to reflecting the diversity of the community and this role will be part of a dynamic and inclusive team focused on local journalism.

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
A minimum of five years in journalism with a proven ability in reporting and writing.
A sound understanding of newswriting, journalistic ethics, and story structure.
Possession of a clear and engaging writing style.
An ability to cultivate sources in government, advocacy groups, educational circles, and other demographics.
A demonstrated capability in capitalizing on high-value topics by engaging audiences in frequency and urgency.
Proven experience building, maintaining, and engaging an active audience.
An understanding of the methods and tools used to deliver content across a variety of platforms.
Experience using social media to find stories and promote content.
An ability to work independently under deadline pressure and prioritize assignments.
An ability to work collaboratively with editors and fellow reporters.
A willingness to keep abreast of industry advances and proactively consider new methods of reaching audiences.
Reliable transportation to meet with sources and cover events.

Nice To Haves

Experience in investigations.
Fluency in social video storytelling, podcasts, and other multimedia formats.

Responsibilities

Cover politics, conflict, and power struggles in New Jersey's towns, school districts, and local and state government agencies.
Focus on the politics of local flashpoints like school board fights and town hall power struggles.
Elevate local issues through detailed reporting, sharp writing, and engaging storytelling.
Find and report on unique and compelling local political stories.
Cover contentious school policy fights and town council power struggles.
Step into Statehouse issues, such as the state budget and the governor's agenda, when they directly affect Jersey residents.
Drill down on small details while writing with sweep, scale, and smarts.
Cover breaking news, short-term enterprise, and trend pieces.
Potentially work on longform stories.
Utilize social video storytelling, podcasts, and other multimedia formats to bring stories to life across platforms.
Cultivate sources in government, advocacy groups, educational circles, and other demographics.
Capitalize on high-value topics by engaging audiences with frequency and urgency.
Build, maintain, and engage an active audience.
Deliver content across a variety of platforms.
Use social media to find stories and promote content.
Work independently under deadline pressure and prioritize assignments.
Collaborate with editors and fellow reporters.
Keep abreast of industry advances and proactively consider new methods of reaching audiences.