**Job Description** **_Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are at the core of our mission to strengthen and empower the communities we serve._** Do you consider education and the issues surrounding it — equity and inclusion; the impact of the pandemic on learning loss; the politicization of and battles over curricula— to be at the very center of the national conversation? Do you want to be part of an award-winning team of reporters who hold New Jersey public officials to account for the education and development of the next generation? **NJ Advance Media** is seeking a versatile journalist to serve as our **Senior Education Reporter** . The ideal candidate is a jack of all trades, able to strike the balance between quick-turn, daily reports and longer-term enterprise; a fast, focused writer who can produce gripping narratives; keep readers abreast of test scores and school rankings; deliver must-read investigations; and break news across K-12 and higher education in a competitive media landscape. We are looking for a dynamic storyteller whose work will cut through the clutter and resonate in communities throughout our diverse state. The reporter must develop trusted sources from the statehouse to the schoolhouse. The ideal candidate will relish their role as a watchdog over public officials. Most importantly, this position calls for more than simply telling our audiences “what happened.” It requires incisive analysis that elevates the public discourse and becomes essential reading for parents, educators and policymakers alike. The base salary range for this position is $75,000 - $85,000 per year. **Our ideal candidate will have the following** : + A bachelor's degree in journalism or communications related field; or combination of equivalent education and experience + A minimum of five years in journalism with a proven ability in reporting and writing required, preferably including experience in budgets, business and politics + An ability to cultivate sources in government, education and advocacy groups to keep our coverage ahead of the pack + Possession of a clear and engaging writing style + A proven record of breaking news + An ability to work independently under deadline pressure and prioritize tasks appropriately + A sound understanding of news writing, journalistic ethics and story structure + Experience using social media to find stories and promote content **Additional Information** Advance Local Media offers competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package with affordable options for your healthcare including medical, dental and vision plans, mental health support options, flexible spending accounts, fertility assistance, a competitive 401(k) plan to help plan for your future, generous paid time off, paid parental and caregiver leave and an employee assistance program to support your work/life balance, optional legal assistance, life insurance options, as well as flexible holidays to honor cultural diversity. NJ Advance Media is a part of Advance Local Media, one of the largest media groups in the United States, which operates the leading news and information companies in more than 20 cities, reaching 52+ million people monthly with our quality, real-time journalism and community engagement. Our company is built upon the values of Integrity, Customer-first, Inclusiveness, Collaboration and Forward-looking. For more information about Advance Local, please visit www.advancelocal.com . NJ Advance Media is a company positioned for the future. We embrace the rapidly evolving digital landscape and are committed to developing new solutions across current and emerging media to help advertisers grow their businesses. In addition to flexible advertising opportunities with powerful media vehicles that we represent, we offer custom digital solutions from web and mobile site development, to a sophisticated array of search and social media optimization and targeted display solutions to reach audiences on all platforms. Our focus is on developing a real-time approach to reporting news, sports and entertainment content for consumption across all platforms and devices throughout New Jersey and Easton, PA. On nj.com and lehighvalleylive.com, we ensure the communities we serve have 24/7 access to the news and information that's most relevant locally, regionally and beyond. Our quality journalism and in-depth coverage is provided locally in The Star-Ledger, The Hunterdon County Democrat, The Times of Trenton, South Jersey Times and The Express-Times. _Advance Local Media is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment, and is proud to be an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, encouraging applications from people of all backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or any other category protected under federal, state or local law._ _If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please contact Human Resources and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information._ Advance Local Media does not provide sponsorship for work visas or employment authorization in the United States. Only candidates who are legally authorized to work in the U.S. will be considered for this position.