What are the responsibilities and job description for the Tennessee Bureau Chief, Chalkbeat position at Civic News Company?
Civic News Company, parent company of the nonprofit newsrooms Chalkbeat, focused on telling the story of education in America; Votebeat, dedicated to in-depth reporting on elections and voting; and Healthbeat, covering public health and health policy both nationally and locally, is seeking a Tennessee Bureau Chief, Chalkbeat. This role will oversee our work across the state and captain our statehouse coverage.
This is a critical time to cover schools in Tennessee, which is known nationally for its efforts to reform education policy and practice. The fate of high-poverty schools exiting a state-run improvement district, an expanded school voucher program, and the pandemic’s unprecedented disruption of student learning all loom large.
The Tennessee Bureau Chief is responsible for setting our coverage agenda with an eye toward making an impact, spotlighting inequities, and pointing toward solutions.
This position will report to Chalkbeat’s Editor in Chief.
The key responsibilities for this role include:
- Conceiving and executing stories, from breaking news to classroom-focused features and explainers, that help people understand critical issues facing schools and students across the state.
- Covering key developments in the state legislature and explaining their impact on students across Tennessee.
- Support and oversight of a Memphis-based reporter.
- Building relationships with readers and key players through newsletters and the reporting process.
- Building relationships with partner news outlets and with editors across Chalkbeat.
- Serving as an ambassador for Chalkbeat’s work.
What background and skills do you have? (We know not all strong candidates will have all the skills we list. That’s OK. What else do you bring to the table? Please tell us!):
- At least five years of experience in journalism.
- A passion for education and understanding how schools work.
- The ability to balance quick-turn news stories with enterprise work and have experience planning longer-term projects.
- The ability to explain complex issues clearly in a way that builds trust.
- Strategies for building and coaching an effective team, with a commitment to equity and inclusion.
- Strong interpersonal skills, demonstrating empathy and understanding while being unafraid to have tough conversations when needed.
Bonus points if you’ve got:
- Specific expertise in education, local or state-level reporting in Tennessee
- Data analysis skills
- Fluency in a language other than English, especially Spanish
This is a remote-eligible role based in Nashville, Tennessee, with occasional time spent at the state Capitol.
The salary range is $85,000 - $95,000, commensurate with experience, with a generous benefits package, including:
- Medical, vision, and dental insurance
- 20 days of PTO and a paid one-week recess
- 401(k) matching program
- Paid parental leave
Civic News Company recognizes a staff bargaining unit, Civic News Company, affiliated with the Writers Guild of America, East, a labor union representing thousands of members who write content for news and online media, motion pictures, and television. This position is not included in the Civic News Company bargaining unit.
About Civic News Company
At Civic News Company, our mission is helping people understand how America works so they can make it work better. Committed to equal employment opportunities, Civic News Company welcomes applicants and employees from diverse backgrounds, including but not limited to races, colors, national origins, ancestries, creeds, religions, genders, ages, disabilities, veteran status, sexual orientations, and marital statuses. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply and contribute to our shared vision.
Civic News Company participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Civic News Company is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before Civic News Company can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Civic News Company can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9.
Salary : $85,000 - $95,000
