Position summary
The State Capitol Reporter produces relevant, original, and engaging coverage of Colorado state government, politics, elections, and public policy for radio, digital, social, and other platforms. Coverage will explain the legislative process and show how decisions made at the Capitol affect communities throughout Colorado.
This Denver-based position works closely with the Capitol Editor/Reporter. They also collaborate with news teams from partner organizations. The reporter position is part of the Colorado Capitol News Alliance, a grant-funded editorial collaboration.
The successful candidate will have strong reporting, writing, on-air, and audio-production skills, along with experience covering politics, government, public policy, or related topics. Experience producing journalism for both broadcast and digital publication is required.
Key responsibilities
- Report, write, voice, and produce original coverage of Colorado state government, politics, elections, and public policy for radio, digital, social, and other editorial platforms.
- Produce timely daily newscast and digital stories, as well as sound-rich features, enterprise reporting, and longer-term projects that provide context and accountability.
- Cover legislative hearings, bill introductions, budget actions, elections, press conferences, and other developments involving lawmakers, the governor, state agencies, and political organizations.
- Identify and pursue original stories that explain the legislative process and demonstrate how state policies and political decisions affect Colorado residents.
- Develop and maintain a broad and diverse network of sources, including elected officials, public employees, policy experts, advocates, community members, and people directly affected by government decisions.
- Use public-records laws, including the Colorado Open Records Act and federal Freedom of Information Act, as well as data analysis, original documents, factchecking, and verification to produce authoritative reporting.
- Produce journalism that reflects the experiences of Colorado's diverse communities, elevates voices that are frequently underrepresented, and examines systemic inequities and institutional failures.
- Collaborate with the Capitol Editor/Reporter, KUNC newsroom staff, and Colorado Capitol News Alliance partners on daily coverage, enterprise projects, a weekly political podcast, and digital and social video.
- Consistently develop and pitch original daily, enterprise, investigative, and project-based story ideas.
- Use audience-engagement practices to identify community questions, emerging concerns, and topics of importance to listeners and readers.
- Participate actively in newsroom editorial, planning, and project meetings and contribute to coverage produced for KUNC programs, NPR, and other distribution partners when appropriate.
Additional responsibilities
- Maintain an active professional presence on relevant social media platforms to distribute reporting, engage audiences, identify sources, and follow developing stories.
- Participate in interviews, public events, audience-engagement activities, and station promotional efforts related to the reporter's work or the project.
- Participate in on-air fundraising and other station development activities as needed.
- Support coordinated newsroom coverage during elections, breaking news, and other major events.
Required qualifications
- Minimum of three years of professional journalism experience, including reporting, writing, editing, and producing stories for broadcast and digital publication.
- Strong editorial judgment and demonstrated ability to produce accurate, fair, balanced, and engaging journalism consistent with AP style and professional ethics.
- Strong interviewing, research, writing, editing, and audio-production skills.
- Demonstrated on-air ability, including voicing recorded stories, conducting interviews, and contributing to live or breaking-news coverage.
- Experience using professional recording and editing equipment and newsroom production, publishing, automation, and collaboration systems. KUNC uses Adobe Audition, WideOrbit, Dropbox, and Microsoft applications; experience with comparable professional tools and the ability to learn new systems are required.
- Demonstrated understanding of digital and social media platforms, audience-engagement practices, and effective distribution of news content across multiple platforms.
- Experience using data in reporting and creating or supporting data visualizations.
- Basic familiarity with FCC guidelines and requirements applicable to broadcast journalism.
- Ability to manage multiple assignments, deadlines, and competing priorities while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, adapt to changing newsroom priorities and technologies, and collaborate effectively with colleagues, sources, community members, and external partners.
- Ability to connect global, national, state, and regional issues to the interests and needs of communities in the KUNC listening area. Familiarity with Northern Colorado is preferred but not required; the successful candidate must be able to quickly develop regional knowledge and sources.
- Demonstrated professionalism, integrity, accountability, and commitment to public-service journalism.
- Demonstrated commitment to serving diverse audiences and contributing to an inclusive and respectful workplace.
Preferred qualifications
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in media, communications, or related field.
- At least three years' experience in the field reporting or editing.
- Valid Colorado driver's license.
- Must reside in Colorado.
- Bilingual in Spanish is helpful.
Compensation and benefits
Salary range: $64,000-$73,000 annually commensurate with experience.
Benefits include health insurance, dental, vision, paid time off, holidays, professional development, and hybrid work options.
Equal opportunity statement
KUNC / Community Radio for Northern Colorado is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a team that reflects the communities we serve and to creating a workplace grounded in respect, inclusion, accountability, and public service. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds and experiences to apply.
How to apply
Send cover letter, resume and list of references to [email protected]
