Job Description

The Center Square is seeking a highly motivated reporter to help lead our taxpayer-focused coverage

of Southwest Pennsylvania, with a focus on Pittsburgh, Allegheny County and surrounding counties.

We're looking for a passionate journalist who has government reporting experience, and a strong

interest and understanding of politics and public policy. The Center Square covers government from a

taxpayers’ perspective, not from government’s perspective. We hold government officials accountable

for their actions and decisions, and inform our readers how those decisions affect them.

This key role will be joining other state and local news operations as we expand our impact in the

states. It reports to The Center Square’s Northeast Regional Editor.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Plan daily, taxpayer-focused news coverage in southwest Pennsylvania for The Center Square and print affiliates. The Center Square is a newswire and we welcome other media outlets to republish our work.
• Closely monitor local government activity, including city, county and school boards for any policies that will impact taxpayers, job creators, energy consumers, the economy and public safety. Report on those policies.
• Supplement print reporting with video; be willing to shoot and edit video, and discuss your reporting in front of a camera
• Own the market. Report on and write the most important stories of the day in the region. Win the day, every day. 
• Develop sources, conduct interviews, be prepared to ask probing questions 

EXPECTATIONS:

• Have excellent writing and research abilities, and adhere to Associated Press style.
• Take direction well, and be willing to learn from The Center Square's experienced editors and other journalists.
• Live in the region. Be available to cover governments in person as appropriate.
• Meet sources both inside and outside of government.
• Look beyond government-issued press releases and reports to determine the real impact of policy on taxpayers and job creators.
• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, political science, or a related field is preferred but not required, and at least two years of government reporting experience.
• Proficient in understanding news and moving fast to report on breaking and developing stories 
• Writing approachable news copy to distill complex issues into concise explanations
• Monitor other media in the area for story trends, breaking news, etc... Introduce The Center Square to other media outlets in the region. The Center Square is a nonprofit newswire. We want other media outlets to republish our work.

To apply, please send resume and writing samples to Christen Smith, Pennsylvania/Northeast Regional

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