Education Reporter

The award-winning Texas Tribune is hiring an education reporter to cover one of its most important beats in a state that always has the nation’s attention.

The position involves balanced and thoughtful reporting on the K-12 student and family experience across the state, as well as holding our overall education system accountable. There are stories to pursue across the state on the impact of the pandemic on the learning experience, inequity in the system and how families, students and educators are navigating these turbulent times.

The education reporter should be devoted to ground-up reporting and communicating the vastly different experiences when it comes to pursuing a K-12 education. This reporter should be regularly monitoring the State Board of Education and the Texas Education Agency. This reporter will also work with the Data Viz team to find important stories that are hidden in sweeping datasets. This reporter will also examine budgets and the spending decisions that school boards and legislators make, and the impact that has on the student experience. This reporter should evaluate the impact of state school finance laws on local school district budgets and the impact that has on students’ access to quality education as they prepare for either college or careers.

While there are big-city districts that naturally demand attention because of their size, the education reporter must keep a close eye on what is happening in smaller and rural districts across the state. This reporter must also work with the Tribune’s higher education reporter to help our audience understand how well students are being prepared and supported when it comes to the transition to postsecondary education. There will also be opportunities to work with other Tribune reporters on storylines that traverse multiple subject areas that the Tribune covers.

The education reporter — who will juggle quick-turn news stories and enterprise pieces — will need to occasionally travel throughout Texas. The job requires a keen eye on education issues during the biennial sessions of the Texas Legislature, in races for state and federal elected offices, and in major court cases in Texas and before the U.S. Supreme Court. This reporter will also be pulled into other assignments as news dictates. The education reporter may also moderate panel discussions and represent the Tribune at Tribune events.

Responsibilities:

• Identifying and pitching breaking news stories on various subjects
• Writing and updating stories on the news of the day
• Working with other reporters on various assignments
• Collaborating with other departments for various assignments
• Occasional travel and work on nights, weekends and holidays

Qualifications:

• Preferred 1-3 years of journalism experience
• An ability to break down complicated education policy
• Terrific news judgment
• Ability to work under tight deadlines
• A passion and talent for jumping on breaking news
• Impeccable reporting, fact-checking and writing skills
• A strong familiarity with journalistic ethics and libel law
• A desire and ability to collaborate with other colleagues

We know there are great candidates who won’t check all of these boxes, and we know you might bring important skills that we haven’t considered. If that’s you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself.

This is a full-time, exempt position with the following Texas Tribune benefits:

• downtown office with paid parking or commuting stipend 
• medical, vision and dental insurance
• cell phone stipend
• 20 days of paid time off each year
• 16 weeks of paid family leave
• 401(k) matching
• support for professional training and attending industry conferences

As a part of our pandemic safety precautions, Texas Tribune employees are working remotely until at least July 2021. This position will eventually be based in Austin. 

How to Apply:

Click here to submit your application by April 15. We can't wait to hear from you.

The Texas Tribune is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to diversity and building an inclusive environment for all, and we encourage applicants of all identities, backgrounds, ages, and abilities to apply. Learn more about The Texas Tribune here.