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FREELANCE REPORTER / CONTENT PRODUCER

Fully remote but based in Texas' Rio Grande Valley | Contractor, 25 hrs per week| $35 hourly rate

Join Courier Newsroom - an organization that drives journalism and empowers communities.

Who We Are

At COURIER, we empower people and communities to connect with the news, opportunities, and issues impacting their lives. We believe that giving local journalists stronger platforms, access to audience data, and opportunities to grow with (not against) changing social and online media trends can significantly impact civic participation in a state-and build a healthier democracy from the ground up.

Through original reporting, news curation, presenter-led videos, and approachable explainers, we're passionate about making the news real-and interesting-to our audience. We're a rapidly growing team with new ideas on how to break through the political noise in an evolving media landscape-that includes social media platforms with zero fact-checks-and inspire people to take action.

COURIER Newsroom is committed to building aninclusive workplace that values diverse perspectives and lived experiences. We strongly encourage women, people of color, individuals with disabilities, LGBTQ+ candidates, and those from all backgrounds to apply. As an equal opportunity employer, we strive to break down barriers and ensure every team member feels seen, heard, and supported.

Scope of work

Courier Texas is seeking a freelance reporter / content producer to help expand our coverage in the Rio Grande Valley and south central Texas.

The contractor will independently produce a mix of local news, politics, and lifestyle content to reach audiences beyond traditional news consumers, primarily in south Texas. The ideal candidate is a generalist who understands what stories and topics resonate the most with South Texans, and knows how to turn local reporting into accessible, engaging content for the web, social, and newsletters.

Deliverables include:

• Deliver 5-8 web stories per week to site, including a mix of:
  • Original reporting
  • Aggregation or curated explainers
  • Wire or partner content

• Produce 2-4 pieces of social content per week to support newsletter and web stories, which may include:
  • Short-form video (on-camera or voiceover)
  • Simple graphics (headline cards, carousels)
• Create content designed to drive audience growth and newsletter subscriptions across web and social platforms as directed

Term & Schedule:

• Initial term to be mutually agreed upon (recommended 3-6 months).
• Must reside in or regularly operate within the Rio Grande Valley region.
• Contractor will be invited to join the Courier Texas team virtual meetings (2-3 times a week) and may participate in editorial check-ins as reasonably necessary for coordination on assignments.

Compensation:

Rate: $35 an hour

Expected hours: Approximately 25 hours a week

The ideal candidate:

• Has a strong understanding of the Rio Grande Valley / South Texas and its culture, as well as the issues that matter locally
• Has 3+ years of audience-centered local reporting experience
• Has a previous history of covering local politics, policy, or government for everyday readers
• Is a strong, clear writer who can break down complex topics in an approachable way
• Writes in a conversational, accessible tone designed for everyday readers - not insider audiences
• Is comfortable sourcing stories from community conversations, social media trends, local events, and everyday experiences-not just institutions and press releases
• Has experience creating content for web (Wordpress) and social platforms (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok)
• Is comfortable experimenting with formats and testing what resonates with audiences
• Is willing to appear on camera or create video content
• Has experience using tools like Canva, CapCut, Descript, or similar

As an independent contractor, this person will not be an employee of COURIER Newsroom. The contractor will control the manner and means of performing the services and is responsible for all taxes, insurance, equipment, and business expenses unless otherwise agreed in writing.