Growth and Local Government Reporter

The Cap Times and captimes.com seeks an experienced and dynamic reporter to cover housing, development and transportation in the fastest-growing city and county in Wisconsin, with an emphasis on local government policy and neighborhood impact. This is a reporter who knows how government works, when it doesn’t, and how to build source networks and obtain public documents that reveal the inner workings and outcomes of policymaking.

This reporter will collaborate with another local government reporter while specializing in topics related to the Madison metro area’s growth. Coverage will focus on how population growth is reshaping the city, various perspectives on zoning and proposed housing developments, housing affordability, neighborhood concerns, transportation challenges and related topics. The right candidate for this position will have demonstrated success producing not just well-sourced, well-written and balanced quick-hit stories but also exclusive deeper dives and investigative journalism.

If hired, you will pitch and write high-interest stories and craft coverage in a range of story formats (i.e. quick-hits, profiles, explainers, long-form). Your journalism will help ensure the Cap Times regularly sheds new light on local policymakers and issues shaping our readers’ lives.

Monitoring the activities of the mayor, City Council and city and county departments will be a key part of breaking news, developing deeper insights and holding officials accountable in this role. Occasional attention to state and federal agency policymaking that relates to growth and transportation will be important, as well.

This journalist will often collaborate with other beat reporters to help elevate our coverage of high-impact issues, so teamwork skills are a must. You also would work with editors to identify stories and topics that separate us from other news and information sources, carving out a distinctive Cap Times “lane” in local government coverage, including a reader-centric approach to elections.

We have a commitment at the Cap Times to reach and cover under-heard and underserved members of our community, and we are seeking someone who will find such stories challenging and valuable.

Key responsibilities include:

• Develop a diverse network of sources to deliver a steady stream of stories, scoops and coverage that readers can’t find anywhere else.
• Make open records requests to investigate the activities of local government agencies and policymakers and to determine what is of interest to readers.
• Analyze public data and documents, such as budgets, department reports and city and council ordinance and funding proposals, to find story ideas or to provide readers with more context.
• Collaborate with editors, visual journalists, our audience director and social media strategist to develop reporting plans, sometimes weeks in advance of publication.
• Balance planning for both short-term and long-term story deadlines and be nimble about shifting priorities as needed.
• Produce sharp and concise writing that engages readers, follows AP Style and requires minimal editing.
• Continuously look for ways to improve coverage while paying close attention to readership metrics on stories.
• Plan and participate in occasional events, such as presentations with community groups or Cap Times Idea Fest.
• Work at our office and in the field, typically during the daytime on weekdays. Some work at night or on weekends will be necessary in the event of key meetings or breaking news.

Required skills/experience:

• Commitment to journalism that pursues stories with an open mind, treats sources and others with respect, and reflects Madison’s diverse population.
• At least three years of professional experience in a daily news operation.
• Strong familiarity with open records and meetings laws.
• Experience analyzing public data and documents.
• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in journalism or a related field.
• Experience with writing tools, such as Google Documents or Microsoft Word, and data analysis tools, such as Google Spreadsheets or Microsoft Excel.
• Valid driver’s license and proof of automobile insurance.

Preferred skills/experience:

• Experience reporting on local government, politics and elections.
• Experience using social media, audience metrics or other tools to inform coverage.
• Knowledge of Madison and/or Wisconsin.
• Ability to communicate in multiple languages.

Benefits offered include medical, dental and vision insurance; company-paid life and long-term disability insurance; company matched 401(k); employee assistance program; and paid time off, sick and holiday time.

Pre-employment background and drug screenings apply.

The Cap Times is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to maintaining a workforce that accurately reflects our audience and expands our voice. Women, people of color and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

How to apply:

Please submit a resume, cover letter and up to three clips to Editor Mark Treinen at mtreinen@captimes.com.

About the Cap Times:

The Cap Times (formally, The Capital Times) has a rich, deep history in Madison. Today, we are foremost an independent newsroom that delivers local journalism focused on Madison. We produce a weekly print newspaper, but our primary delivery is digital and social media. We are also a source of progressive opinion, and we host excellent events, highlighted by the annual Cap Times Idea Fest each fall. The Cap Times is additionally a major source of philanthropy in the community thanks to the foundation named for our founder, William T. Evjue.

Now is an exciting time to join the Cap Times! Our digital journalism, email newsletters, member benefits and events are becoming increasingly popular in the community. We are continually looking for ways to evolve amid journalism’s transformation, and we want innovative, creative minds to be part of that process here. Our newsroom is filled with passionate journalists who want to help Madison become a better place to live, work and raise families. We offer a fun, team-driven environment to produce local journalism that has an impact.

About Madison:

Madison is one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the United States and home to more than 280,000 people, the Wisconsin state Capitol, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a growing biotech industry, as well as a vibrant restaurant and entertainment scene. Located between lakes Mendota and Monona on an isthmus, the city also boasts many opportunities for outdoor recreation on the water, on its many miles of bike paths, and in abundant city and Dane County parks.