Local Politics Reporter

NJ.com is seeking an experienced journalist to cover politics, conflict, and power struggles in New Jersey's towns, school districts, and local and state government agencies — the stories that fracture communities and hit closest to home.

The Local Politics Reporter will zero in on the politics of local flashpoints — school board fights, town hall power struggles, and the controversies that spill from one community across the entire state — and elevate them through detailed reporting, sharp writing, and engaging storytelling.

We want a dogged journalist who will find the next mob hitman-turned-councilman and the next mayor who declares war on his own town's schools. We seek a versatile reporter who can cover everything from a contentious school policy fight to a town council power struggle, with the range to step into Statehouse issues — the state budget, Gov. Mikie Sherrill's agenda — when they directly affect Jersey residents and their wallets. And we require the rare journalist who can drill down on the smallest detail but write with sweep, scale and smarts.

Coverage will include breaking news, short-term enterprise and trend pieces, but there could be opportunities for longform stories.

We're also looking for reporters who think beyond the written word. Fluency in social video storytelling, podcasts, and other multimedia formats is a plus — we want someone who can bring these stories to life across myriad platforms.

We're committed to building a newsroom that reflects the diversity of the community we serve. In this position, you will be part of a dynamic and inclusive team focused on local journalism for one of the country's largest privately owned media companies.

The pay rate for this position is $65,000 - $85,000 annually.

This job requires reliable transportation to meet with sources and cover events.