Hybrid Reporter – Stanford Rebele Summer Internship

at Hearst Health

• Job title: Reporter – Stanford Rebele Summer Internship
• Job type: Internship
• Experience level: Entry level
• Salary: Not specified
• Degree requirement: Bachelor's Degree
• Location requirements: Hybrid, Austin, United States

About the role

• Journalist for Austin American-Statesman covering Travis County government and policy decisions affecting Central Texas residents. Engaging in watchdog and explanatory journalism on local issues.

Responsibilities

• Report on Travis County Commissioners Court and county agencies, holding officials accountable for decisions that affect about 1.4 million residents.
• Translate budgets, tax rates, policy proposals and public health data into clear, accessible journalism that shows readers why county government matters.
• Develop original coverage that advances the news beyond meeting recaps, with a focus on impact, equity and consequences.
• Center reporting on issues affecting residents most directly, including housing instability, mental health access, disaster recovery and affordability pressures.
• Cultivate a broad network of contacts, including elected officials, county staff, advocates and community members.
• Write breaking news, step-backs, explainers, news features, analysis and enterprise stories on deadline.
• Develop original watchdog and enterprise reporting by mastering county budgets, policy debates and public records.
• Track major issues including public health and housing challenges, property taxes and county budgeting, justice system reform, elections administration, disaster response, and infrastructure modernization.
• Collaborate with editors and colleagues across departments on digital publication strategies, elections coverage, breaking news and major projects.
• Write engaging headlines and SEO elements with a digital, diverse audience in mind.
• Maintain a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation and auto insurance.

Requirements

• At least one to two years of journalism experience, preferably covering government, public policy or accountability beats
• Current student at Stanford University
• Government reporting experience is strongly preferred but not required
• Demonstrated ability to interpret budgets, policy documents and public records
• Proven skill at cultivating sources and breaking news
• Strong writing skills, with a track record of producing clear, accurate and compelling copy on deadline
• Ability to juggle multiple assignments in a fast-paced newsroom
• Commitment to fairness, accuracy and journalistic standards
• Spanish language proficiency is a plus
• Familiarity with Austin or Texas government is a plus but not required

Benefits

• The opportunity to cover one of the most consequential local government beats in Texas
• Support for ambitious enterprise, explanatory and watchdog journalism
• A collaborative newsroom that values accountability, impact and creativity