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State Government and Politics Reporter
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Helena Independent Record
Helena, MT (In Person)
Full-Time
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Job Description
State Government and Politics ReporterThe Montana State News Team is seeking a statewidegovernment and politics reporter with the ambition and curiosity to cover thepeople and power brokers that shape Montana. This role rounds out a team thatvalues tough questions, sharp accountability journalism and deeply sourcedreporting that drives conversations statewide. As a government and politics reporter, you'll tango withMontana's political machines: the Legislature, elected officials, and stategovernment agencies. You'll track policies crafted in the capital into thecities and towns where they have a material impact on Montanans' lives. You'llcover candidates for state and federal office and follow the money that propelsthem there. Success in this role means cultivating sources, digging intopublic records and data, making sense of complex issues and producingenterprise work that speaks to a statewide audience and bridges the dividebetween eastern and western Montana.
Last year our team traveled 3,500 miles to report on ruralhealth care, broke news on legislative ethics violations and decipheredpolitical spin again and again. You'll be expected to turn several stories every week andtackle breaking news pieces quickly and accurately. When the 2027 legislativesession gavels in, you'll be on the move with several stories a day betweencommittee hearings, while also minding the governor's office. Your plate willbe full, but this team creates space for its reporters to pursue hard-hittingenterprise and investigative work as well. You'll be joining two other reporters that value hustle andcollaboration; teamwork is our superpower. From the story planning phase, upuntil the moment we hit publish, the bureau works together. Initiative is key,as it is a healthy, competitive drive for the next big scoop. We prioritizedigital-forward, multimedia journalism. Knowledge of digital concepts like SEO,social media and strong web-centered headlines is not necessary, but awillingness to learn certainly is. Where you'll be based:
Candidates can choose between being based in Lee newsroomsat the Billings Gazette or Helena Independent Record. The two other governmentreporters are based in Missoula, but hit the road often and spend thelegislative session in Helena. Should you choose Billings, know that regular travel toHelena - the state's capital city - will be necessary, especially when theLegislature is in session. Bureau stories publish across all Lee Montana news sites andpapers: Billings Gazette, Missoulian, Helena Independent Record, The MontanaStandard and Ravalli Republic. Why Lee Enterprises?
Lee Enterprisesoffers competitive wages in a dynamic, interesting work environment with careergrowth opportunities. We offer anextensive benefit program that can be personalized to your needs. Our benefitprogram includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability,company provided life insurance and supplemental life insurance. In addition,we offer a 401K retirement plan with company match. We also offer generous paid time off to allowflexibility to balance personal life and work. This includes paid parental leave for new parents. Lee Enterprises isa leading provider of local news and information and a major subscription andadvertising platform, with daily and weekly newspapers and rapidly expandingdigital products serving 114 markets across 25 states. Our core commitment isto provide valuable, intensely local news and information to the communities weserve.
Lee Enterprises isproud to be an equal opportunity employer. We respect and celebrate diversityand are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. For moreinformation about Lee, check us out at www.lee.net.
Last year our team traveled 3,500 miles to report on ruralhealth care, broke news on legislative ethics violations and decipheredpolitical spin again and again. You'll be expected to turn several stories every week andtackle breaking news pieces quickly and accurately. When the 2027 legislativesession gavels in, you'll be on the move with several stories a day betweencommittee hearings, while also minding the governor's office. Your plate willbe full, but this team creates space for its reporters to pursue hard-hittingenterprise and investigative work as well. You'll be joining two other reporters that value hustle andcollaboration; teamwork is our superpower. From the story planning phase, upuntil the moment we hit publish, the bureau works together. Initiative is key,as it is a healthy, competitive drive for the next big scoop. We prioritizedigital-forward, multimedia journalism. Knowledge of digital concepts like SEO,social media and strong web-centered headlines is not necessary, but awillingness to learn certainly is. Where you'll be based:
Candidates can choose between being based in Lee newsroomsat the Billings Gazette or Helena Independent Record. The two other governmentreporters are based in Missoula, but hit the road often and spend thelegislative session in Helena. Should you choose Billings, know that regular travel toHelena - the state's capital city - will be necessary, especially when theLegislature is in session. Bureau stories publish across all Lee Montana news sites andpapers: Billings Gazette, Missoulian, Helena Independent Record, The MontanaStandard and Ravalli Republic. Why Lee Enterprises?
Lee Enterprisesoffers competitive wages in a dynamic, interesting work environment with careergrowth opportunities. We offer anextensive benefit program that can be personalized to your needs. Our benefitprogram includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability,company provided life insurance and supplemental life insurance. In addition,we offer a 401K retirement plan with company match. We also offer generous paid time off to allowflexibility to balance personal life and work. This includes paid parental leave for new parents. Lee Enterprises isa leading provider of local news and information and a major subscription andadvertising platform, with daily and weekly newspapers and rapidly expandingdigital products serving 114 markets across 25 states. Our core commitment isto provide valuable, intensely local news and information to the communities weserve.
Lee Enterprises isproud to be an equal opportunity employer. We respect and celebrate diversityand are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. For moreinformation about Lee, check us out at www.lee.net.