Gary Youth and Education Reporter

Capital B is a national and local nonprofit news organization that serves Black communities across the country. We’re hiring a reporter to cover education and family issues in Gary, Indiana, as part of our second local newsroom, Capital B Gary. We’re looking for a reporter who shares our mission of producing excellent civic journalism, engaging communities to build trust, and fighting misinformation. 

Our youth and education reporter will explore how young people are faring in the classroom, at home, and in the community. They will closely cover the Gary Community School Corporation as it transitions to independence after a seven-year state takeover, focusing on how the new superintendent addresses the district’s challenges and serves students--with a focus on accountability and equity.

Additionally, they will chronicle how new state laws and funding affect Gary students, illustrating how legislative changes manifest in the classroom.

We also want the reporter to cover stories about issues that often intersect with schools, such as child welfare, teen homelessness, and the juvenile justice system. 

This reporter will immerse themselves in the Gary community, regularly attending community meetings and speaking to residents about their concerns and experiences. Their journalism will include service explainers that give residents practical information to improve their lives, as well as solutions stories that spotlight people and programs that are having substantive impacts on young people.

We’re seeking a reporter who shares our belief that being present in the community — not just reading press releases or covering press conferences —  will produce unique stories that make an impact. We want someone who actively listens to Black people affected by the issues they cover, drawing inspiration for stories from their perspectives.

This position reports to the Gary editor. 

ANNUAL SALARY: $65,000 - $75,000

LOCATION: Gary, Indiana (Relocation assistance available)

Requirements

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Build community relationships, prioritizing connections with local residents
• Write a variety of news articles, including analysis, explainers, features, and occasional investigative stories
• Attend public meetings and community events related to your beat
• Grow expertise in subjects tied to your beat through research, expert sources, and training
• Learn historical context and issues relevant to your beat
• Contribute to partnerships and special projects
• Participate in audience initiatives that support the Gary newsroom and the overall Capital B brand. This may involve live events, community outreach, and story promotion
• Collaborate with the Gary editor and the community engagement editor to shape beat coverage based on community information needs, your own news judgment, and Capital B's local strategy

What you’ll bring:

• Minimum two years of professional writing experience
• Passion for on-the-ground reporting and immersing in the community
• An extreme audience focus — Capital B’s work is not for industry peers or awards committees, although it’s a plus if they like it!
• Familiarity with and affinity for Black communities in Northwest Indiana
• Strong news judgment and ability to pitch compelling stories
• Excellent research, interviewing, and storytelling abilities
• Clear, concise, engaging writing that is accessible to readers
• Dedication to ethical, honest, accurate, and fair reporting standards
• Understanding of factors that contribute to education inequity in the U.S. and how those forces affect Black communities like Gary
• Proficiency in data analysis and public record requests, or a strong interest in learning

Benefits

What we’ll bring:

• A compassionate, supportive workplace 
• Generous PTO + company holidays
• 20 weeks parental leave
• 12 weeks caregiver leave
• 401(k)
• Dental, health, and vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Health and dependent care flex plans
• Short-term disability
• Professional development fund
• Monthly phone and internet stipend
• Stipend for home office setup 
• Relocation assistance 

Please submit your resume, links to three writing examples, and a brief cover note with some info about why you're a good pick for this role by October 31, 2024. Capital B is open to candidates with a diversity of experience, and we know that some very strong candidates won’t have all the qualifications we list. Don’t be shy — apply!