Summary:

The Chicago Tribune is seeking a reporter with proven skills to help cover education in the city and suburbs, as well as at the state level. The reporter will work alongside the education editor and senior education reporter to deliver a mix of daily news and enterprise reporting on local and national education trends in public and private schools and higher education. The reporter will assist the senior education reporter in covering Chicago Public Schools (CPS). CPS plays a critical role in serving the city's diverse population with a newly elected school board, a powerful union, and a mayor who rode labor's influence into office.

What you will do:

• Become a go-to source for breaking education news and smart enterprise reporting that highlights the stories of students, families, and educators while exploring the impact of broader education trends

• Deliver a mix of short-, mid-, and long-term news coverage and enterprise reporting, both assigned and self-generated

• Serve as a primary resource for news about higher education, as well as private and parochial schools in the Chicago area

• Report solo at times and collaborate with a mix of reporters and photographers on other occasions

• Own your beat and develop a vision for covering education by attending meetings and press conferences, developing sources, and working with the team to dig through documents to yield exclusives on major developing stories

• Work with your editor(s) to execute the needed balance of dailies and longer-term pieces

What you will bring:

• A proven record of reporting skills demonstrated in tackling complex subjects and providing balanced coverage of controversial topics

• Creativity, doggedness, and problem-solving skills in addressing roadblocks in newsgathering and idea generation

• A respect for readers' time reflected in clear writing, leads that command attention, nut graphs that make sense, necessary context, and an aversion to wasted words

• Energy, patience, and the drive to learn all you can about Chicago's communities, develop sources, and tell hard-hitting stories

• A commitment to upholding Tribune standards of fairness, accuracy, ethics, and quality journalism; a desire to be a collaborative and collegial newsroom citizen

• Data-viz and Spanish skills are considered a major asset for this role

Benefits and Compensation:

The hourly wage is $26.44. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to geographic location, education, work experience, time in role, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, the Company offers eligible employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, 401k, as well as paid time off and select paid holidays (all benefits are based on eligibility). Please click the following link for more detailed information: http://www.mybensite.com/tribpub

Who we are:

Founded in 1847, the Chicago Tribune, is the top source of news and information in the Chicago area and the largest news organization in the Midwest. The Tribune, winner of 27 Pulitzer Prizes, is known for its innovative investigative reporting, insightful coverage of the arts and culture, and community-leading opinion writing. As the cornerstone of Chicago Tribune Media Group (CTMG), the Chicago Tribune anchors a diverse network of publications. This includes six daily suburban papers, over 30 hyperlocal weeklies, Chicago Magazine, and digital offerings that inform, engage and connect communities.

EEO Statement:

We are an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.

How To Apply:

• Please submit an online application along with your resume for this position here. In addition to your resume, please include a cover letter and 5 samples showcasing your best work.

Closing Date:

• Continuous recruitment until the position is filled

Conditions of Employment: 

• A full pre-employment background check MVR will be conducted as part of the selection process. Must be willing to submit and pass the necessary required checks

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and have reliable transportation

• Travel – This position entails occasional driving for work assignments, in-person training sessions and/or meetings. The employee will be responsible for transporting themselves between different sites as needed

• Must be available for shift work. May be required to work various hours for coverage outside of normal business hours

#LI-MW1