State Politics & Government Reporter

Civic Media Inc • Madison, WI

6d • Hybrid

About The Position

Civic Media is seeking an enterprising, politically savvy reporter to cover state government and elections for a statewide audience. The State Politics Reporter will build the scaffolding for sustained statewide coverage, and prepare audiences for the critical 2026 election cycle.

This role combines daily reporting with enterprise coverage. The reporter will produce concise daily audio updates on the political story of the day, in-depth features for radio and digital platforms, and election-specific projects such as a voter guide, race tracker, and debate coordination.

This is a beat reporting position. This person will be charged with reporting on all three branches of government: judicial, legislative, and executive.

Requirements

• Prior experience as a print, digital, or radio journalist,
• Strong news judgment—including objectivity, courage, curiosity and tenacity,
• Strong verbal and written communication skills,
• Commitment to democratic principles,
• Strong time management skills, with demonstrated ability to meet hard deadlines,
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize effectively given competing priorities,
• Technical experience in audio, or willingness to learn,
• Technical experience in content management systems, or willingness to learn,
• Access to reliable transportation and ability to travel within Wisconsin as assignments require.

Nice To Haves

• Completed a degree in journalism, communications, or related field
• Demonstrated experience in radio or audio editing
• A commitment to quality independent journalism
• Prior experience in social media and audience engagement
• A sense of humor and collaborative spirit

Responsibilities

• Report stories for broadcast on daily deadlines, including developing pitches, interviewing sources, fact-checking, writing scripts, and recording using professional broadcast equipment.
• Produce a daily audio wrap on the top political story of the day.
• Write and post digital stories to accompany audio coverage, with relevant multimedia when appropriate.
• Develop and maintain a statewide election landing page, including race tracking and candidate information.
• Assist in moderating debates.
• Collaborate with Civic Media reporters and editors across the state to share content and strengthen coverage.
• Maintain strong working knowledge of issues across all three branches of government: executive, legislative, and judicial.
• Build and sustain relationships with sources, lawmakers, and community stakeholders.
• Use social media strategically for story development, audience engagement, and brand growth.
• Appear on Civic Media programs and podcasts to discuss stories, issues, and newsmakers.
• Contribute to newsletters and promotional materials as time allows.
• Uphold high standards of accuracy, impartiality, ethics, and journalistic excellence as described in Civic Media’s Ethical Guidelines for Editorial Staff.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• Comprehensive health, vision, and dental benefits package
• Company-paid Long-Term Disability, Short-Term Disability, and Life and AD&D insurance plans
• 401(k) with matching up to 4%
• Huge opportunity for professional development and growth
• Vibrant and collaborative hybrid work environment
• Opportunity to make a significant cultural impact

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed