Children and Families Reporter

The Current, a Deep South Today newsroom in Lafayette, La., is seeking a Children and Families Reporter to join our growing newsroom.

On this beat, you will report on how kids in Lafayette live, learn and thrive by examining the intersection of education and health. The role explores how local policy decisions, funding systems and community programs shape kids’ well-being.

Coverage will span from early childhood through high school, emphasizing access, outcomes and solutions. Key questions include:
Who gets quality childcare? How do housing, transportation and health affect learning? What innovations are closing gaps, and where do systems fall short or fail?

The ideal candidate is curious, conscientious and adept at finding stories that others overlook. Assignments will include a mix of spot and enterprise coverage.

Lafayette, La., is the primary locale for your coverage, although your reporting may venture into the broader Acadiana region, known as the hub of Cajun and Creole Louisiana.

Lafayette is a culturally vibrant place famous for its food, music and folkways. It’s the kind of town where just about every story is in reach, making it an ideal post for an ambitious early career reporter.

The Current is a small team, and we put a premium on colleagues who are thoughtful, creative and agile — i.e. willing andable to stretch outside of their normal course of work when duty calls.

• Pitch, report and file 2-3 stories weekly
• Produce clean, error-free copy on deadline
• Proficient with data analysis and reviewing academic research
• Command of journalism ethics and basic reporting skills and principles
• Willingness to take off-beat assignments as needed

It’s a plus if you have experience with:

• Editorial photography or other multimedia

What you’ll get:

• The opportunity to work alongside award-winning journalists and make an impact
• Latitude to try stuff and see what works
• Competitive salary with medical insurance and options for vision and dental insurance
• 29 days paid time off
• Up to 12 weeks of parental family leave, with return-to-work flexibility.
• Simple IRA with 3 percent company matching. Group-term life insurance provided to employees ($15,000 policy)
• Support for professional training and attending industry conferences
• Access to the resources and talent in the Deep South Today network, including our sister newsrooms at Mississippi Today, winner of the 2023 Pulitzer Prize, and Verite News in New Orleans

Location: Lafayette, Louisiana

How to Apply:

We’re committed to building an inclusive newsroom that represents the people and communities we serve.
We especially encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply for this position, including women, people of color, LGBTQ people and people who are differently abled.
Please apply
here
.