Education Reporter

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram seeks an experienced education reporter who can dive deep into the issues holding back our public schools to generate discussion about the challenges (and possible solutions) and raise awareness about the importance of thriving public schools in one of the nation’s fastest-growing cities.

This position is fully funded by a renewable philanthropic grant. It is designed for a reporter who understands public education systems and has a track record of presenting issues in a way that connects with broad audiences.

Strong public schools are a must if Fort Worth is to thrive as it grows. This is not only an education issue, but a workforce issue, an economic development issue and a tax base issue. It is also an assurance that all residents have the opportunity to be lifted as our city and county prosper.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram plays a crucial role in raising awareness and promoting citizen engagement around the challenges and opportunities faced by our public school systems. We believe that improvement in education begins with an informed citizenry that helps pressure for positive change. We’re looking for a strong source-builder who thrives on spending time in the communities they cover and finding ways to engage with readers, such as personalized newsletters; “ask me anythings” about timely issues; and participating in events such as listening tours.

The education reporter will provide a steady drumbeat of in-depth stories and quick-turn enterprise focused on topics related to challenges and opportunities in our educational system, publishing multiple stories each week. The reporter will work closely with another reporter who specializes in early childhood development/early childhood education.

Mc Clatchy Media’s journalists are expected to take advantage of opportunities to ethically harness and leverage artificial intelligence and other automation to enhance and elevate their work and to find efficiencies that free them to focus on source-building and high quality, deeply reported journalism.

Fort Worth is one of the fastest growing cities in the country and is the 11th largest city in the United States. It boasts a lively downtown, concert and music halls, rodeos, incredible barbecue, world-class museums and the historic Fort Worth Stockyards entertainment district that celebrates our Wild West heritage. Our city is diverse, with about 35% of the population Hispanic or Latino, over 18% Black and about 5% Asian, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The Star-Telegram is committed to better representing the diverse North Texas communities we cover and to building an inclusive newsroom for staffers of all backgrounds.

What you’ll bring:

• Strong reporting, lively writing, excellent news judgment and a demonstrated ability to “see the story” that is going to matter to readers.
• A proven ability to publish quickly and often.
• Deep understanding of a digital-first, audience-forward approach to journalism.
• Ability to juggle in-depth stories, quick-turn enterprise and utility-driven stories.
• A track record for innovation, learning and using new skills and technologies, especially using AI-powered tools responsibly to improve efficiency, coverage and innovation.
• Commitment to accurate, ethical journalism and adherence to professional reporting standards.
• Proficiency in SEO, social media engagement and digital publishing tools.
• Interest in exploring alternative formats (guides, explainers, newsletters, FAQs) and multimedia storytelling.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work collaboratively and give and receive feedback.
• Proficiency with AP style, grammar and punctuation.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience.
• 1-3 years of education reporting experience preferred.
• Ability to build source networks and bring a constant flow of story ideas.
• Fluency in English and Spanish preferred.

Job Requirements:

• This is generally a day shift position that will include evening and weekend work as needed.
• This position is based in Fort Worth and involves a hybrid schedule: working from home and from our Fort Worth co-working location, with a strong expectation of gathering news in the communities we serve.
• Must have reliable transportation. Must have valid driver’s license and vehicle insurance.

What we’ll bring:

As a journalist at Mc Clatchy, you will join a supportive, flexible, collaborative team. Mc Clatchy strives to be an employer of choice, and our benefits package is made with this goal in mind. With a focus on health, well-being, wealth and daily life, our package options include healthcare coverage for employees and their families, financial protection from expected and unexpected expenses, multiple no-cost wellness resources and even coverage for four-legged friends.

Our overall benefits package also includes a 401(k) with employer match, competitive paid time off and corporate holidays, and a variety of mental health benefits. With an excellent support team and focus on your well-being as a top corporate strategy, Mc Clatchy provides benefits to support you and your family in achieving your health and wellness goals. For more information on Mc Clatchy's benefit plan, please visit Mc Clatchy Livewell.com.

To apply:

Include a persuasive cover letter, your resume and four to six examples of your best work when you apply.

About Mc Clatchy Media Company:

The Mc Clatchy Media Company features a portfolio of vibrant and trusted news, lifestyle, entertainment brands and a robust retail distribution network. Our iconic local news brands such as the Miami Herald, The Kansas City Star and The Sacramento Bee, have collectively earned a total of 57 Pulitzer prizes and are complemented by popular lifestyle and entertainment brands such as Us Weekly and Woman’s World. Together, our brands reach more than 100 million unique visitors a month,The Mc Clatchy Retail Network, our distribution and logistics arm, offers delivery to more than 56,000 retail locations weekly.

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