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Statehouse Reporter, Hawver’s Capitol Report/State Affairs

Topeka, Kansas

State Affairs is the nation’s leading news and policy intelligence platform focused on state governments. We combine nonpartisan coverage of Statehouses across the country alongside state government data and AI-native tools into a singular platform. 

We inform and empower decision makers, policy professionals and citizens through our award-winning journalism and data – delivering profound insights to help our customers decode and act on state politics and  policy. We’re building a category-defining business that will reshape America as we strengthen visibility into what’s happening and why at the state level.

We are hiring a Statehouse Reporter to cover Kansas politics and policy for Hawver’s Capital Report/State Affairs, the premier insider political newsletter in the state.

As the Statehouse Reporter, you will:

  • Report on the people, power and policies shaping Kansas — from the governor’s office to the committee rooms to the halls of the judiciary.
  • Produce regular scoops, analysis, Playmaker Profiles and explainers for an engaged, insider audience.
  • Develop sources across the political spectrum and across the state.
  • Help State Affairs remain the go-to source for smart, reliable and fearless statehouse news.
  • Contribute to special series, newsletters and public-facing events.
  • Collaborate with other State Affairs journalists to break silos and elevate coverage nationwide.

Essential Qualifications for this position include:

  • 3+ years of professional work experience reporting or editing political/government news, preferably at the state level.
  • Prior professional work experience in breaking news, building sources, and writing with voice and authority to break news, build sources, and write with voice and authority.
  • Substantive ability to organize and edit content.
  • Ability to work independently and manage multiple deadlines.
  • Ability to communicate to a wide range of people, from elected officials to first-time activists.
  • Knowledge of Kansas politics and policy.

Preferred Qualifications for this position include: 

  • Knowledge of newsletter platforms and audience engagement tools.
  • Knowledge of WordPress and other editorial software.
  • Skilled in audio, video, or data journalism

When applying, please include a professional cover letter which includes 2 to 3 clips or samples of relevant work (newsletters, news stories, scoops, etc.)

This is an on-site work opportunity located in Topeka, Kansas. You will be based most days from the Kansas Statehouse in Topeka.  State Affairs offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package to employees.

The compensation range for this role as it is posted is $55,000 to $63,000, based on experience for candidates working from Topeka, Kansas. The final job level and annual salary will be determined based on the education, qualification, knowledge, skills, ability, and experience of the final candidate(s), and calibrated against relevant market data and internal team equity.  Benefits listed in this posting may vary depending on the nature of your employment with State Affairs.

Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future company sponsorship.

State Affairs is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit and business needs.  State Affairs does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other protected characteristic in accordance with federal, state, and local law.

State Affairs is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities as they go through our job application and interview process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at jobs@stateaffairs.com

By submitting your application, you affirm the content contained therein is true and accurate in all respects. Please note that prior to employment, State Affairs will obtain background checks for employment purposes that may include, where permitted by law, the following: identify verification, prior employment verification, personal and professional references, educational verification, and criminal history. For certain roles, further background checks covering additional information and activities may be initiated.

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