Missouri Rural Health Reporter

Job Description

News coverage is fast evaporating across rural areas. The newspapers and TV and radio stations serving those communities in Missouri are struggling, giving them less time to cover substantive issues. That leaves people across rural Missouri grasping for information about their local government, their schools, their medical services and a variety of other issues that drive their prospects for good health.

This beat gives a reporter a wide berth to explore issues that relate to those things that determine the health of communities, from responsive local government to vibrant schools. But especially health care. So the reporter will focus on the social determinants of health, which covers a wide range of stories.

The job comes with a particular responsibility, and opportunity, to engage with disparate communities that define rural Missouri. Along with reporting, this journalist would lead our efforts to fully understand the needs of the news organizations that republish Beacon work, and to best understand what questions about public life audiences across the state demand more attention.

That means in the first three to six months on the job, the reporter will combine reporting trips around the state by meeting with people in different communities to better understand what news coverage would best serve rural Missourians.

Virtually all of the stories produced by this reporter demand depth, nuance and enterprise. Breaking news coverage would be rare. Car travel would be common, although mostly day trips. We prefer that the reporter is based in central Missouri, perhaps Columbia.

We want someone who approaches the rural beat with empathy for rural communities, a knack for spotting counterintuitive stories that relate to health and the drive to produce stories that go beyond daily developments:

• How does the aging of rural populations, and the exodus of younger workers, alter health care for the elderly?
• What do shifts in agriculture mean for the economic and physical well-being of people living in small and remote communities?
• How are rural communities finding ways to get broadband, and what’s happening where it’s out of reach?
• What health patterns distinguish rural Missouri from its urban areas, and what measures could mitigate unhealthy trends?

This position is funded by a two-year grant from the Missouri Foundation for Health to support rural health reporting across Missouri. The grant allows us to hire a rural health reporter who will ensure the voices of rural Missourians are heard, expanding our reach and deepening our impact.

The reporter will conduct statewide listening sessions, build partnerships with local newsrooms and produce in-depth stories on critical health issues. In addition to expanding our health coverage, this role will also focus on growing our republishing network across rural newsrooms, helping to combat news deserts across the state.

Responsibilities

• Write an average of four stories (fewer in the first months on the job as you survey rural Missouri’s news coverage needs) of 800 to 1,500 words each, plus shorter evergreen, utilitarian posts of 300-500 words (guides on various ways to navigate health care, schools, local government).
• Develop sources on rural issues and build relationships with key decision makers in rural Missouri.
• Stay on top of trends on the rural beat, particularly in ways relevant to Missouri and Kansas.
• Identify, research, pitch, write and report stories on a level of sophistication that meets or exceeds the best in the market
• Track source demographics.
• Find and analyze census data to uncover overlooked developments.
• Represent The Beacon at occasional events as well as at appearances on other local media outlets that elevate The Beacon in the community.
• Use sources, story ideas, research and writing that reflects Missouri’s diversity.
• Participate in community engagement events

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $50,000 to $70,000 a year, depending on experience and reporting portfolio.
• Health Coverage: 100% of employee health, vision, and dental premiums covered; a portion of dependent premiums covered.
• Paid Time Off (PTO): Includes federal holidays, a birthday holiday, the last week of the year, and progressive PTO accrual starting at three weeks per year (vacation and sick time combined), increasing with tenure.
• Remote Work: Work from home, occasional in-person meetings required (preferably based in Columbia, Mo.).
• Parental Leave: Paid parental leave policy in effect.
• Cell Phone Reimbursement: Up to $50 per month.
• Life Insurance: $50,000 employer-paid policy; supplemental insurance available.
• Disability Insurance: 100% employer-paid long and short-term disability.

Location
Our plan is for this reporter to be based in central Missouri.

The organization

The Beacon cultivates engaged and informed communities through accessible reporting and active community engagement on crucial local subjects, anchored by a sustainable nonprofit revenue model.

Our core values

Truth Unwavering honesty and accuracy in all our reporting.

Inclusivity Championing diverse voices and perspectives.

Transparency Openness about our reporting and funding.

Equity Addressing systemic imbalances that affect us locally.

Job Requirements

Preferred qualifications:

If you don’t check all the boxes, but think you’d crush this job, apply anyway. We know that building a diverse staff is important, and being flexible on requirements is part of that:

• Powerful writing skills, proven news judgment, and a strong commitment to journalistic ethics.
• A desire to diversify the sources in your reporting to cover a wide range of demographics and philosophical outlooks.
• Familiarity with the Midwest, Missouri and rural issues.
• A record of writing stories with impact, clarity and thoughtful skepticism.
• A demonstrated ability to identify and pursue stories on your own combined with a willingness to take direction on the framing of stories and the editing of your copy.
• A demonstrated ability to meet deadlines.
• Enthusiasm for independent, nonprofit news media and collaboration with other outlets.
• A passion for community journalism.
• Familiarity with data sets and records.
• Fluency in Spanish or another language besides English.
• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications or related field. Five years of experience preferred, but we’re flexible.

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