LOOKOUT is seeking a part-time politics reporter who will manage our widely read “Eyes on the State” newsletter, as well as report out day-two-style politics stories from the state Capitol. The position is for a temporary role starting in January and ending in December 2025.

We are Arizona’s only LGBTQ+ news outlet, and we are one of the few queer news sources in the nation built from a nonprofit model aiming to give power back to our community through information, events geared toward their needs, and gumshoe journalism. LOOKOUT’s editorial mission is to elevate the way LGBTQ+ stories are told in the media, and it starts with the understanding that queer people are the most impacted in almost every system, from taxes to tourism. 

The “Eyes on the State” newsletter is our weekly legislative email sent to our thousands of subscribers every Sunday through the legislative session that tells people exactly how to get involved in local politics, what bills are up for debate, and how they directly impact our community.

The job of this reporter would be to use our newsletter to not only engage readers to learn more about how political systems and decisions affect them, but how readers can be more involved in transforming their day-to-day lives through civic engagement. 

We are not advocates nor movement-driven, but we are a mission-focused news outlet that seeks to empower people within our community through fact-based nonpartisan journalism that gives people all the facts they need to make informed decisions at the ballot box, know who they donate or spend money with, and understand where they can have most impact.

This is the perfect position if you are, a final-semester student or soon-to-be-graduate of a journalism or equally relevant degree who has always wanted to try and cover LGBTQ+ issues through an accountability lens, but have always felt you could only cover it through an arts and culture beat. You’d be great for this position if you have a passion for policy, and don’t mind rummaging through dockets and paperwork to find a story no one else has told. You’d soar in this role if you could tell a juicy story via a public records request no one thought to ask for. 

You don’t have to be queer-identifying, but you absolutely must be able to build trust within the community while also gaining key sources both within and outside of government to tell you what is happening before it even happens. 

You also must be available to work up to 20 hours a week, including Sundays, to put together our newsletters, as well as have some daytime availability to attend scheduled Senate and House hearings. Overtime is allowed but must be approved beforehand. 

We are a startup news outlet in our second year, which means that at the end of the day we all wear many editorial hats. If needed, you will also be expected to take photos, shoot video, and post to social media in relation to stories you're reporting on.

Please send your resume and three clips to: joseph@lookoutphx.org

DEADLINE TO APPLY: JAN. 3, 2025

More details on what to expect in the role:

• Newsletter Content Creation:
• • Curate and create compelling content for weekly and monthly newsletters, focusing on investigative stories, community highlights, and relevant LGBTQ+ issues in Arizona. 
  • Craft engaging headlines, summaries, and visuals to captivate and inform our audience.
• Community Engagement:
• • Foster a sense of community through the newsletter, encouraging reader interaction, feedback, and participation in events.
  • Utilize the newsletter as a platform to amplify the voices and stories of the LGBTQ+ community in Arizona.
• Research and Reporting:
• • Report on policy and laws affecting the LGBTQ+ communities in Arizona in all their nuances, not just surface level bill reporting. 
  • Conduct in-depth interviews with community members, activists, and leaders to provide a comprehensive understanding of the local LGBTQ+ landscape across Central, Northern, and Southern Arizona. 
• Story Development:
• • Identify compelling and underreported LGBTQ+ stories that resonate with the Arizona community within the realm of politics, policy, or agency regulation.
• $20/hr 
• 20 hours per week
• Part-time W-2’d contract role through Dec. 2025