State Politics & Government Reporter

Civic Media Inc; Madison (WI); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Comprehensive health, vision, and dental benefits package

401(k) with matching up to 4%

Professional development opportunities

Short-Term Disability

401(k) with matching up to 4%

Hybrid work environment

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

A leading media organization is seeking a State Politics Reporter to cover Wisconsin’s government and elections. This role includes daily reporting, audio updates, and in-depth features related to the 2026 election cycle. Applicants should have journalism experience and strong communication skills. The position requires attendance at the state Capitol and travel throughout Wisconsin. Benefits include competitive salary and comprehensive health packages, promoting professional development.

Qualifications

• Prior experience as a print, digital, or radio journalist.
• Commitment to democratic principles.
• Strong time management skills.

Responsibilities

• Report stories for broadcast on daily deadlines.
• Produce daily audio wrap on top political story.
• Write and post digital stories to accompany audio.
• Moderate debates and collaborate with state reporters.
• Build relationships with lawmakers, sources, and stakeholders.
• Use social media for story development and audience growth.

Skills

Strong verbal and written communication skills

Strong news judgment

Technical experience in audio

Experience in social media and audience engagement

Audio experience or willingness to 1

CMS experience or willingness to learn

Education

Degree in journalism, communications, or related field

Tools

Content management systems

Job description

ABOUT OUR COMPANY

Civic Media has built a radio and digital media network in the Midwest with the goal of championing the practice of democracy by empowering honest and informative local voices. We’re merging the legacy of radio with the immediacy of digital to deliver high-quality content to a growing audience via our radio stations, websites, mobile app and associated social media platforms. We work in a fast-paced environment that values communication, integrity, vision, innovation and collaboration in order to fulfill our vision of being the media platform that informs, guides, and inspires our audience through the complex landscape of information, commentary, and civic engagement.

POSITION SUMMARY

Civic Media is seeking an enterprising, politically savvy reporter to cover state government and elections for a statewide audience. The State Politics Reporter will build the scaffolding for sustained statewide coverage, and prepare audiences for the critical 2026 election cycle.

This role combines daily reporting with enterprise coverage. The reporter will produce concise daily audio updates on the political story of the day, in-depth features for radio and digital platforms, and election-specific projects such as a voter guide, race tracker, and debate coordination.

This is a beat reporting position. This person will be charged with reporting on all three branches of government: judicial, legislative, and executive.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Report stories for broadcast on daily deadlines, including developing pitches, interviewing sources, fact-checking, writing scripts, and recording using professional broadcast equipment.
• Produce a daily audio wrap on the top political story of the day.
• Write and post digital stories to accompany audio coverage, with relevant multimedia when appropriate.
• Develop and maintain a statewide election landing page, including race tracking and candidate information.
• Assist in moderating debates.
• Collaborate with Civic Media reporters and editors across the state to share content and strengthen coverage.
• Maintain strong working knowledge of issues across all three branches of government: executive, legislative, and judicial.
• Build and sustain relationships with sources, lawmakers, and community stakeholders.
• Use social media strategically for story development, audience engagement, and brand growth.
• Appear on Civic Media programs and podcasts to discuss stories, issues, and newsmakers.
• Contribute to newsletters and promotional materials as time allows.
• Uphold high standards of accuracy, impartiality, ethics, and journalistic excellence as described in Civic Media’s Ethical Guidelines for Editorial Staff.
• Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Prior experience as a print, digital, or radio journalist.
• Strong news judgment—including objectivity, courage, curiosity and tenacity.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Commitment to democratic principles.
• Strong time management skills, with demonstrated ability to meet hard deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize effectively given competing priorities.
• Technical experience in audio, or willingness to learn.
• Technical experience in content management systems, or willingness to learn.
• Access to reliable transportation and ability to travel within Wisconsin as assignments require.

PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN TO CANDIDATES WHO HAVE:

• Completed a degree in journalism, communications, or related field.
• Demonstrated experience in radio or audio editing.
• A commitment to quality independent journalism.
• Prior experience in social media and audience engagement.
• A sense of humor and collaborative spirit.

WORKING CONDITIONS

This position requires availability for some work outside of regular business hours to cover breaking news stories.

While this position is hybrid, applicants will be expected to be physically present at the state Capitol regularly and must have the ability to travel throughout Wisconsin as needed to cover stories across the state. Applicants must reside in Wisconsin or be willing to relocate.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Civic Media is committed to professional development opportunities. We encourage reporters to develop new skills as time allows — such as in show production, sports reporting, or technical operations.

BENEFITS

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive health, vision, and dental benefits package.
• Company-paid Long-Term Disability, Short-Term Disability, and Life and AD&D insurance plans.
• 401(k) with matching up to 4%.
• Huge opportunity for professional development and growth.
• Vibrant and collaborative hybrid work environment.
• Opportunity to make a significant cultural impact.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Civic Media is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.