Civic News Company is hiring: Memphis Reporter, Chalkbeat in Memphis

Join to apply for the Memphis Reporter, Chalkbeat role at Civic News Company.

This role will focus on telling powerful education stories in collaboration with MLK50: Justice Through Journalism, an award-winning nonprofit digital news site based in Memphis.

This is an important moment to report on schools in Memphis. Its students face high child poverty rates and are still recovering from the learning disruptions of the pandemic. The school district, the largest in Tennessee, has experienced years of leadership turmoil. These realities create an environment rich with opportunities for high-impact and solutions-oriented stories.

This reporter will produce work for both Chalkbeat and for MLK50, benefiting from in-person support at the MLK50 newsroom while collaborating closely with Chalkbeat editors in Tennessee and nationwide.

This position is a 12-month role with the possibility of extension and will report to Chalkbeat’s Tennessee Bureau Chief.

Key Responsibilities

• Conceiving and executing stories that help people understand education in Memphis and make an impact.
• Writing stories ranging from breaking news to classroom-focused features to long-term enterprise projects.
• Building relationships with readers and key players through newsletters and the reporting process.
• Collaborating with reporters and editors at Chalkbeat and MLK50, including data, visuals, and engagement teams.

Minimum Requirements

• Two years of experience covering education, government, or public policy.
• A passion for education, understanding how schools work, and spotting inequities.
• The ability to explain complex issues clearly and fairly in a way that builds trust.
• A track record of building sources and navigating access challenges.
• The desire to figure out how to reach prospective readers with your work.
• A belief in the power of local journalism.
• Specific expertise in education, local or state-level reporting in Tennessee.
• Data analysis skills.
• Fluency in a language other than English, especially Spanish.

This full-time remote eligible position will be located in Memphis, Tennessee.

Salary and Benefits

The salary range is $66,000.00 - $75,000.00, 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

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.