Education Policy Reporter (Remote, Indiana)

Civic News Company; Indianapolis (IN); Remote; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, vision, and dental insurance

PTO and holidays

401(k) with employer match

Parental leave

Flexible Spending Plan

Life insurance and disability coverage

Monthly cell phone/internet allowance

Job summary

Civic News Company is recruiting an Indiana Reporter to cover schools and education policy as part of the Chalkbeat Indiana team. The role centers on reporting compelling local education stories, with emphasis on accountability and context for students and families in the Indianapolis area.

You will join a nationwide Chalkbeat network, reporting from a fast-paced, community-facing beat, and contributing to coverage across Indiana including high schools, vouchers, and online options.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in journalism.
• Excellent news judgment.
• Breaking news metabolism and decisiveness.
• Ability to produce ambitious, agenda-setting enterprise journalism.
• Strong interpersonal skills, demonstrating empathy and understanding while being unafraid to have tough conversations when needed.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Passion for education; Chalkbeat’s mission is a strong plus.
• Connections to Indianapolis.
• Photo and social video skills.
• Fluency in a language other than English, especially Spanish.

Responsibilities

• Report and write compelling local education stories, balancing quick-turn news coverage with enterprise and accountability journalism.
• Develop and execute longer-term reporting projects that deepen readers’ understanding of local education issues.
• Serve as a trusted guide for readers by clearly explaining how education systems, policies, and decisions affect local communities.
• Held public officials and institutions accountable through rigorous, fair, and well-sourced reporting.
• Engage with readers and community members to identify relevant stories, questions, and areas of interest.
• Collaborate with Chalkbeat colleagues and external partners on reporting and special projects, including TV, radio and panel appearances.
• Build and maintain relationships with educators, education leaders, parents, students, and community members.

Skills

Journalism

News judgment

Interpersonal skills

Diversity & inclusion

Education reporting

Local Indianapolis network

Job description

Civic News Company is recruiting an Indiana Reporter to cover schools and education policy as part of the Chalkbeat Indiana team. The role centers on reporting compelling local education stories, with emphasis on accountability and context for students and families in the Indianapolis area.

You will join a nationwide Chalkbeat network, reporting from a fast-paced, community-facing beat, and contributing to coverage across Indiana including high schools, vouchers, and online options.