Political Correspondent, Copper Courier

Who We Are

At Courier Newsroom, 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 human-focused storytelling, 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. We are a rapidly growing team with new ideas on how to change the landscape of this world.

Summary

Copper Courier’s political correspondent is responsible for producing state or local media products (newsletters, video series/streams, podcasts, etc.) that they manage and own through which they will personally build trust with a specific audience. As the media landscape continues to evolve, the political correspondent will take advantage of new tools to become a trusted messenger and journalist for audiences in Arizona. 

Thinking beyond the methods of legacy outlets that rely on a broader, official media brand, the political correspondent will personally build confidence in Arizona communities by being a visible, relatable, frequent presence in their social feeds and/or inboxes. The correspondent will also review insights and learnings from audience data and feedback to inform content strategy as products evolve.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Develop a deep understanding of the mission and core audience in Arizona and best practices for communicating with that audience. 
• Pitch, develop, and market specific media products designed to reach niche audiences who aren’t currently being served by legacy or local media. 
• Utilize all digital platforms to grow and engage owned audiences that are targeted to those specific media products. 
• Produce a regular cadence of coverage for your product(s) that are engaging and help build an audience
• Generate multi-platform content for your product in order to maximize its reach (i.e., create Instagram carousels for a newsletter, or if you do a podcast, ensure it’s on video too). 
• Lead any additional Arizona political news coverage for the Copper Courier, and work in conjunction with fellow state and HQ staff to deliver news to our broader audience.
• Regularly brainstorm and pitch story and content ideas that align to your products. 
• Break news through your products.
• Work with political editorial leadership to ensure highest-quality reporting and product content is created.
• In conjunction with political editorial leadership and HQ/state-based staff, develop and execute strategies for how to help grow and ultimately monetize your product.
• Meet monthly, quarterly, and annual goals and content metrics.
• Experiment with new platforms and formats to further improve our content’s reach.
• Work to build a personal brand through social platforms.
• Build connections with political and community leaders/staff in Arizona. 
• Ensure all political content (newsletters, videos, graphics, etc.) are curated and branded consistently.

The ideal candidate will:

• 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 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.
• Familiarity with tools like Canva, Capcut, Descript, etc., to support social content production 
• Be bilingual in English and Spanish
• 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.

Courier Newsroom offers the following benefits: 

• Salary range: $60,000-$75,000
• Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO), 11 paid holidays a year 
• Full suite of health benefits 
• Flexible working arrangements

 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 conditions.

Compensation$60,000 - $75,000