Texas Chief Political Correspondent

Ideally, the candidate selected for this role will work remotely and reside in Austin, Texas.

Who We Are

COURIER is an online newsroom where we empower individuals and communities through local reporting that helps people understand and affect the issues impacting their lives. We believe that by investing in the work of local journalists across the country we can positively impact civic participation and build a healthier democracy from the ground up.

Through original reporting and community-focused storytelling, delivered to audiences where they get their information online, we highlight the issues and forces that shape our lives while calling attention to the impacts of policy-making and political action at the local level.

Our Texas Chief Political Correspondent is responsible for leading our political coverage in
the state, connecting important policy decisions relevant to the day-to-day lives in a brand-new
civic newsroom. This reporter will be a key, early component in our Texas operation as
COURIER Newsroom builds up a statewide news outlet devoted to delivering important,
empowering news to Texans where they already are–online.

This reporter will execute our political coverage and content strategy, as well as develop a
personal brand as a go-to voice for civic impact content in the state. In addition, this role
requires fostering and maintaining relationships with key political stakeholders in the state.
The Chief Political Correspondent will report to the National Political Editor, while working in
close coordination with our Texas Managing Director. This position will also oversee
between 3 and 4 political reporters, which will be part of regional newsrooms that will be
built out over time. The Chief Political Correspondent will be responsible for providing
guidance and editorial support to these reporters in conjunction with the broader coverage
strategies laid out by the state team and the National Political Editor.

This is a remote position, and the ideal candidate will reside in the Austin area, and they will
be the lead reporter when it comes to Statehouse news. It will require some weekend
work/flexible scheduling.

In addition to a base salary, COURIER Newsroom offers a competitive benefits package,
including a full suite of healthcare benefits, paid time off, and a flexible working
arrangement.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

● Develop a deep understanding of the mission and core audience for the state
and best practices for communicating with that audience. 
● Regularly brainstorm and pitch story ideas that align with our key issue beats.
● Execute a weekly budget for political coverage content that is developed in
collaboration with the senior leadership of political and partnerships. 
● Develop 3-5 original reporting content packages a month that connect the dots
with policy and real-world impact through human-centered, localized stories.
● Break a significant piece of news at least once a quarter.
● Work collaboratively with the Statewide Texas Community Editor, Texas Social
Media Manager, and other staff in your state to ensure state teams have
cohesive content production and targeted strategic audience
development/engagement.
● Meet all deadlines for underwriting content with high-quality, strategic work.
● Meet weekly goals for content metrics by delivering high-quality content,
leveraging an always-developing personal network, and collaborating with state
content organizers to amplify content pieces.
● Develop strategies in coordination with the National Political Editor and Content
Organizing Team on how to further improve our content’s reach.

● Work to build a personal brand through an active Twitter and/or TikTok
presence.
● Build connections with political and community leaders/staff in the state. 
● Utilize resources and messaging guidance provided by senior political and
partnership leadership.
● Ensure all political coverage graphics and videos are branded with consistency
and match community/local news content as well.

The ideal candidate will have the following:

● Have 3-5+ years’ experience in political reporting/content creation or similar
communications work.
● Want to be a part of a new media model that meets people where they are–
most often on social platforms– and looking to leverage their talents to protect
democracy through left-leaning, factual, relevant information rooted in shared
values and well-being.
● Have a desire to grow (or already have) an audience as a political content
creator.
● Have experience using Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and other social
platforms.
● Be able to produce compelling social media posts that deliver key information to
our audience in five seconds or less.   
● Be comfortable in front of a camera.
● Have experience using Canva or Photoshop  
● Have experience editing videos.
● Have a grasp of AP Style
● Have excellent written and verbal communication skills with a strong sense of
voice and tone.
● Have experience with or a willingness to learn WordPress.
● Have experience with or a willingness to learn Sprout and/or Creator Studio for
social media publishing.
● Be able to pivot/switch direction as priorities and projects change.
● Be comfortable in a startup environment.
● Demonstrate an eagerness to collaborate as part of a cross-functional state
team and COURIER network Civic Impact team. 

Equal Opportunity Employer
Courier Newsroom is an equal-opportunity employer. Women, people of color, those with
disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ community are strongly urged to apply. Applicants
shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity,
age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, marital status, or medical

Compensation$85,000 - $95,000