Carolina Journal is a pioneer in nonprofit journalism, covering news impacting North Carolina in politics, education, health care, regulations, taxes, and other issues with a focus on free markets and advancing freedom. In addition to news, CJ offers readers in-depth investigative stories, polling, cartoons, commentary, and analysis. CJ reporters and editors write daily for carolinajournal.com and contribute weekly to radio and television news programs across the state, offering up-to-the-minute news and analysis.

Public Policy Reporter

Location: Raleigh, North Carolina (hybrid schedule)

Reports to: Managing Editor, Editor-in-Chief

Overview:

Carolina Journal is seeking an energetic and detail-oriented Public Policy Reporter to cover the North Carolina General Assembly and the state’s political landscape. The ideal candidate will have a working knowledge of the state legislature, strong interest in policy, governance, and political trends, with the ability to frame stories through a free-market, limited-government perspective. This role is central to informing readers about legislative developments, political strategy, and the ideas shaping North Carolina’s future.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Report on and analyze major legislation and political developments in both chambers of the NC General Assembly.
  • Cultivate trusted relationships with lawmakers, staff, and policy leaders to break news and provide insider context.
  • Write clear, engaging, and timely stories that reflect CJ’s mission to highlight issues of liberty, accountability, and limited government.
  • Contribute to social media coverage, ensuring CJ’s perspective is represented as narratives form online (particularly on X/Twitter).
  • Collaborate with colleagues to answer internal questions about legislative movement and political trends.
  • Produce multimedia content as assigned, including video updates, podcasts, and interviews, to enhance CJ’s digital presence.
  • Participate in election coverage during campaign cycles.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, political science, or a related field 
  • Experience in political or policy reporting preferred 
  • Strong writing and editing skills, with the ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple stories
  • Understanding of North Carolina’s political and legislative processes 
  • Comfortable with digital reporting tools, social media engagement, and collaborative newsroom software (e.g., Trello)
  • Commitment to Carolina Journal’s principles of free enterprise, individual liberty, and government transparency

What We Offer: 

  • A chance to contribute meaningfully to public policy and liberty in North Carolina 
  • Generous Paid Time Off Policy 
  • 401(k) offering with an employer match  
  • Travel savings account program with an employer match  
  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage, FSA  
  • Life and disability insurance

To Apply:  Please send a résumé, two writing samples, and a brief cover letter to Claire Olson, at [email protected].

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.