What are the responsibilities and job description for the Public Safety Reporter position at Hearst Media Services?
Join the American-Statesman as a public safety reporter covering policing, crime, court proceedings and major breaking news in the nation’s 11 th largest city!
The Austin American-Statesman ( statesman.com ) has been the leading source of news and information for Central Texas since 1871, serving a dynamic and fast-growing region anchored by the capital city of Texas. Austin is known for its vibrant tech industry, rich cultural heritage, influential government institutions and creative spirit. Since its acquisition by Hearst in 2025, the Statesman continues to operate with editorial independence while benefiting from Hearst’s expansive journalistic and technological resources.
The Public Safety Reporter will cover public safety, including Austin EMS and the Austin Fire Department, using data and trends and hold local law enforcement agencies accountable with an eye on equity and quality of life.
The beat should incorporate a broader view of public safety and local government through the lens of people of color and other historically disenfranchised populations in the community.
The reporter will be encouraged to explore stories about how local criminal justice policies affect Black, Hispanic, Asian American, Pacific Islander, LGBTQIA and other underserved communities in the Austin-area.
What will you do?
- Produce enterprise stories incorporating data and trends, and human interest pieces that can foster empathy and understanding within the audience.
- Create content (primarily articles, possible spot news video and photos, and social media posts) related to community safety that accurately informs, entertains and engages key audiences and platforms with metrics.
- The reporter will also contribute day-to-day nuts-and-bolts reporting, such as event coverage, elections and breaking news, and will be asked to assume an urgent, digital-first mentality.
- The candidate will be expected to collaborate with other reporters in the newsroom including those covering breaking news and trending topics.
- Collaborate with the content team to provide all appropriate elements for stories (i.e., photos, videos and graphics).
- The reporter will also use social media and other platforms to build communities and loyalty to the American-Statesman.
- Provide thoughtful analysis of complex issues.
- Work toward becoming the community’s leading voice for news and issues.
- Plan and execute engagement opportunities to reach audiences through content, community events and social media.
- Work with editor to evaluate what's working and what's not and develop ongoing plans to better satisfy audience needs.
What will it take to be successful?
- Bachelor's or master’s degree in communications, journalism, marketing or related field preferred , or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Strong ability to balance quick-turn stories with longer-term enterprise pieces
- Adept at taking photos and video and will file quickly across platforms: mobile, desktop and social media.
- Foundational SEO skills including headline and page title writing, and GoogleTrends.
- Strong command of AP style and grammar.
- Strong ability to produce content that is clean, accurate and publication-ready.
- Passion and enthusiasm about news and content that will work well with audiences on social platforms.
- Comfortable in fluid, fast-breaking, stressful situations.
- A desire to grow and develop a key beat in our newsroom.
- Comfortable using social media such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to enhance reporting and promote stories.
- A firm understanding of reporting ethics and sourcing.
- Ability to excel in a fast-paced news environment and understanding the digital first mission.
- Collaborates well with others and can work with a team on the biggest stories.
About us:
The Austin American-Statesman is a division of Hearst Newspapers (HNP).
With 2,500 employees across the nation, HNP represents a network of 24 daily and 52 weekly publications, including the San Francisco Chronicle, Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Express-News and Albany Times Union, marketing services businesses, and entertainment businesses such as King Features Syndicate.
At HNP, we are investing in new and innovative ways to tell stories – growing newsrooms, diversifying tools, evolving platforms – to support the millions of people who trust us each month to help them make decisions, take action and be inspired.
Be a part of something bigger – Your Headline Awaits!
Degree Level : Bachelor's Degree
