Employment

Investigative Reporter

Description

Texas Budget Source is seeking an experienced reporter for projects that increase the public’s access to spending information of state and local governments. This will include developing regular content for the website and writing stories on government spending and transparency. We seek a candidate with a track record of cultivating sources, gaining access to public records, and breaking news stories.

The investigative reporter’s work will be distributed primarily via the TexasBudgetSource.com website, but will present his or her findings in multiple formats – including print media, blogging, video journalism, radio programs, and online. The ideal candidate will have two to five years of experience in news reporting, blogging, computer-assisted research, and presentation skills to promote their findings. The investigative reporter will need to be a great writer, highly motivated, able to work with minimal oversight and an ability to exercise sound judgment.

The investigative reporter will be a contract position. Financial compensation is commensurate with experience and capabilities.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree (journalism preferred)
  • Two to five years experience
  • Excellent writing, editing, and research skills
  • Knowledge of open-records laws
  • Training and/or professional experience in computer-assisted research and reporting
  • Proven organizational skills, attention to detail, and follow-through
  • Spreadsheet and database development skills
  • Basic knowledge of HTML language, familiarity with Drupal is preferred.
  • Experience creating or maintaining a blog
  • Experience with social media (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Digg)
  • WebVideo editing skills preferred
  • Ability to work independently and outside normal business hours
  • Reliable transportation

Please send cover letter, resume, salary requirement, references and writing samples to Greg Sindelar, Texas Public Policy Foundation, administration@texaspolicy.com

About Texas Budget Source

TexasBudgetSource.com provides information on state and local budgets and spending in an effort to bring greater transparency to government spending. TexasBudgetSource.com not only provides links to existing publications and data released by state agencies and local governments, but also provides unique analysis that puts government budgets and spending in context.

TexasBudgetSource.com is a project of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a non-profit, non-partisan, free-market research institute based in Austin. Please note that the activities of the investigative reporter will be focused on the objectives of Texas Budget Source, independent from the research and outreach efforts of the Foundation. If you are looking for a position in research or policy, please visit the Foundation’s website (www.texaspolicy.com).