Education Reporter: Local Impact & Accountability (Remote)

NAHJ Convention; Indianapolis, Northern (IN, KY); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

Paid time off

401(k) retirement match

Parental leave

Flex spending

Life insurance

Cell phone stipend

Internet stipend

Job summary

Civic News Company is seeking a Reporter to cover schools and education policy as part of the Chalkbeat Indiana team. This role focuses on Indianapolis’ evolving education landscape, reporting on school governance, performance measures, transportation, closures, and related debates.

You’ll tell these stories, hold leaders accountable, and help families understand decisions shaping students’ lives. You’ll join a team covering education statewide, including vouchers and online schooling access.

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 and empathy.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Knowledge or interest in education; Chalkbeat’s mission is a strong plus.
• Connections to Indianapolis.

Responsibilities

• Report and write compelling local education stories, balancing quick-turn news with enterprise and accountability journalism.
• Develop and execute longer-term reporting projects that deepen readers’ understanding of local education issues.
• Explain how education systems, policies, and decisions affect local communities to readers.
• Hold public officials and institutions accountable through rigorous, well-sourced reporting.
• Engage with readers and community members to identify stories and areas of interest.
• Collaborate with Chalkbeat colleagues and external partners on reporting and projects (TV, radio, panels).
• Build and maintain relationships with educators, parents, students, and community members.
• Report stories that make an impact in the community and drive change.

Skills

Journalism experience

News judgment

Breaking news mindset

Enterprise reporting

Interpersonal skills

Diversity and inclusion

Indianapolis connections

Photo and video skills

Bilingual in Spanish

Job description

Civic News Company is seeking a Reporter to cover schools and education policy as part of the Chalkbeat Indiana team. This role focuses on Indianapolis’ evolving education landscape, reporting on school governance, performance measures, transportation, closures, and related debates.

You’ll tell these stories, hold leaders accountable, and help families understand decisions shaping students’ lives. You’ll join a team covering education statewide, including vouchers and online schooling access.