Public Affairs Senior Reporter

About the Position:

The Public Affairs Senior Reporter is a cornerstone position in CPR’s newsroom. This position breaks stories on politics and adds daily presence and depth to our legislative coverage, federal politics, local politics, and the various regulatory entities that help form policy. This role will publish daily digital stories, newscast spots, social media posts,longer term features, and host the public affairs podcast Purplish. You will develop your own areas of focus alongside your editor, and as part of that work, will often partner or collaborate with others in the newsroom. You will cover Colorado in ways that reflect and represent the state’s diversity, including a focus on underrepresented communities and regions.

The new hire is expected to reside in the greater Denver metro area upon starting - this is not a remote position. However, a hybrid schedule is available that requires a minimum of 3 days in the office each week.

About You:

You are a responsive, adaptable and reliable reporter, ignited by curiosity and passionate about politics,the people who drive it and those impacted by it. You have a quick metabolism and big appetite for turning dry political stories into digestible stories for a wider, Colorado audience. You’re committed to diversity and inclusivity in sourcing and story choice and are able to develop a wide variety of sources from diverse communities. You’re a creative storyteller interested in utilizing a variety of mediums, be it social media, audio, or digital. You’re also a collaborator who likes to work with other colleagues across newsrooms on projects to better your own work.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A minimum of 5 years of journalism experience in beat reporting is required.

• Knowledge of the fundamentals of fair and accurate reporting is required.

• Experience with political journalism and distilling complex politics into accessible stories for a general audience and developing relationships with political sources.

• Experience in filing daily-turn stories is a must: getting a story in the morning and turning in a draft in the same day.

• Experience earning trust and reporting on issues impacting underserved communities.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a strong attention to detail is required.

• Ability to work collaboratively, meet deadlines, and set challenging goals on output and story generation is required.

• Ability to switch between tasks as necessary and work in a fast-paced, digital environment is required.

• Audio editing and gathering skills (particularly experience with Adobe Audition) are preferred.

• A valid driver’s license and clean driving record is required as this role needs access to reliable transportation to respond with urgency to news events. Newsroom vehicles will sometimes be available for your use.