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Texas Monthly is hiring a full-time staff writer to cover state politics and policy. Rather than focus on incremental or breaking-news coverage, Texas Monthly’s news and politics coverage aims to create narratives and commentaries that are vivid and memorable, and shed original light on current affairs and raging Texas debates, with a literary flair—humor, wit, and distinctive voice—that is a core part of the magazine’s legacy. This staff writer will be a key component of the magazine’s political coverage and should be comfortable writing quick-turn colorful dispatches and more deeply reported pieces that give readers context and insight on Texas’s political scene that they can’t find elsewhere.

This is a full-time position based in Austin, Texas, with generous benefits, including a comprehensive health-insurance plan, 401(k) matching, profit sharing, and the opportunity for annual bonuses. The staff writer will report to the senior editor for news and politics. Compensation is competitive and negotiable.

Job responsibilities include, but may not be limited to: 

• Reporting and writing one news and politics story a week for the website
• Reporting and writing additional front-of-book stories for print 1-2 times per year.
• Contributing writing, ideas, and research to some of the magazine’s most iconic franchises, such as the longtime Best and Worst Legislators list and the annual Bum Steer Awards
• Pitching quick-turnaround story ideas weekly, and longer-term ideas on a monthly basis

Interested candidates should email a résumé, a cover letter, and three clips to resumes@texasmonthly.com with the job title in the subject line. Applications for this position should be submitted by May 26 and may be reviewed on a rolling basis until that date. Promising applicants will be selected for an initial screening interview; finalists will then have an interview with the editor-in-chief and other major stakeholders. Potential candidates who are interested in learning more about the position before applying can book an informational phone call with the director of editorial operations at this link.

Texas Monthly is committed to diversity and cultivating an inclusive environment. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status.

Successful candidates will possess the following:

• Previous experience reporting on Texas politics
• At least five years of journalism experience
• An ability to write compelling narrative- and character-focused stories
• An ability to balance sharp analysis with precision and fairness
• A proven track record for cultivating sources in government and/or politics

About Texas Monthly

Since 1973, Texas Monthly has chronicled life in contemporary Texas, reporting on vital issues such as politics, criminal justice, the environment, industry, and education. Often referred to as “the National Magazine of Texas,” Texas Monthly is known for smart, literary journalism and in-depth investigative reporting that illuminates issues of public policy and drives the discussion of what’s important in the Lone Star State. Additionally, Texas Monthly continues to be the indispensable authority on the Texas scene, covering music, the arts, travel, restaurants, museums, and cultural events with its insightful recommendations.

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