Criminal Justice Reporter

Job Description

Job Title: Criminal justice reporter

Location: Maine (hybrid) 

Position Type: Full-Time

Reports to: Deputy editor

Salary: $55,000 to $58,000

The Maine Monitor is seeking an ambitious reporter to cover the state’s criminal justice system as part of our award-winning, nonpartisan, nonprofit news organization. The role will involve reporting on Maine’s law enforcement agencies, corrections facilities and courts through an accountability lens, examining whether these systems are working to serve the people of Maine. 

The work requires organization and attention to detail but rewards flexibility and creativity. It requires someone who has excellent editorial judgment, meets deadlines and can develop and maintain a network of sources. You should be able to juggle quick-turn stories and longer-range enterprise and investigative work, be comfortable filing public records requests and be able to explain the broader context — the story behind the story — to readers. 

The Maine Monitor is a digital news operation that publishes enterprise and investigative stories for distribution throughout Maine and beyond. Our work is free to read and free to republish; it has appeared in The Boston Globe, the Associated Press, The Washington Post and other outlets. We are a collaborative newsroom and value people with a willingness to teach, learn and experiment.

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has a track record of producing impactful in-depth or investigative stories.
• Aspires to great storytelling.
• Determinedly pursues the truth, digging through records, databases and people’s differing accounts.
• Believes in the importance of exposing wrongs and strives to tell revelatory, powerful stories.
• Is self-disciplined and has excellent editorial judgment and interpersonal skills.
• Is comfortable working both independently and on collaborative projects.
• Can juggle weekly stories and longer-range enterprise and investigative work.
• Is comfortable filing public records requests and can explain the broader context to readers.
• Can write quickly, cleanly and accurately on deadline.
• Is able to speak publicly about their work and represent The Monitor at events.
• Knowledge of Maine institutions is a plus.

Specifically, you will be responsible for:

• Reporting several stories a month, including shorter pieces and longer investigative work, in consultation with Monitor editors.
• Developing a beat and maintaining source networks.
• Pitching stories and taking assignments as needed.
• Upholding the highest standards of journalism ethics and accuracy.
• Working with Monitor staff on audience engagement strategies pegged to specific stories, including public appearances, social media posts, radio interviews and TV interviews.
• Collaborating with other reporters on stories as needed.
• Filing public records requests.
• Taking photographs or developing graphics to accompany your stories.

We know there are great candidates who have skills we haven’t thought of, or who may have experiences different from what we’ve described. If that’s you, reach out and tell us about yourself! 

We are taking steps to make our newsroom better reflect the diverse communities we cover. We especially encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including women, people of color, LGBTQ people and people with disabilities.

Where you’ll be, compensation and benefits:

This position is based in Maine. Work can be done from home, but does involve travel for in-person story research and interviews and occasional visits to our offices in Augusta and Hallowell. We are a statewide news organization; the person who takes this job must be willing and able to travel to communities around Maine for reporting.

• $55,000 to $58,000 annual salary
• Employer-sponsored health, dental, eye insurance
• Cell phone stipend (nontaxable)
• Retirement savings plan with a 3% employer match
• Expense reimbursement, according to published policy
• Short-term disability insurance
• 15 days of paid time off in the first year of work; 20 days starting with the second year of employment. 
• 6 personal/sick days. 
• Remote work and flex time
• 13 ½ paid holidays 

NOTE: The reporter position is an exempt position. The position is included within a bargaining unit with terms and conditions of employment to be governed by a collective bargaining agreement. 

To Apply

Via this Google form, please submit a cover letter, resume and story pitch. The resume should include at least three references and the cover letter should include how your interests align with the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting and how your background and skills make you a strong candidate for the position. For the story pitch, please pitch us a story related to criminal justice in Maine and explain how you’d approach the reporting process. (Max. 600 words) Applications must be received before October 11, 2026. Please email contact@themainemonitor.org with any questions or if you have any problems with the Google form.

NOTE: Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process including the completion of a background check that includes criminal history.

The Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting/The Maine Monitor is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, marital or parental status, disability, citizenship, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law. We prohibit and will not tolerate any such discrimination or harassment.

The Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting and The Maine Monitor serve all of Maine and the diverse communities across Maine. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive board and staff that reflects the society on which we report. We are committed to fostering a workplace in which our employees can grow, express themselves and contribute to the mission and future of our organization.

Job Requirements

Job Title: Criminal justice reporter

Location: Maine (hybrid) 

Position Type: Full-Time

Reports to: Deputy editor

Salary: $55,000 to $58,000

The Maine Monitor is seeking an ambitious reporter to cover the state’s criminal justice system as part of our award-winning, nonpartisan, nonprofit news organization. The role will involve reporting on Maine’s law enforcement agencies, corrections facilities and courts through an accountability lens, examining whether these systems are working to serve the people of Maine. 

The work requires organization and attention to detail but rewards flexibility and creativity. It requires someone who has excellent editorial judgment, meets deadlines and can develop and maintain a network of sources. You should be able to juggle quick-turn stories and longer-range enterprise and investigative work, be comfortable filing public records requests and be able to explain the broader context — the story behind the story — to readers. 

The Maine Monitor is a digital news operation that publishes enterprise and investigative stories for distribution throughout Maine and beyond. Our work is free to read and free to republish; it has appeared in The Boston Globe, the Associated Press, The Washington Post and other outlets. We are a collaborative newsroom and value people with a willingness to teach, learn and experiment.

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has a track record of producing impactful in-depth or investigative stories.
• Aspires to great storytelling.
• Determinedly pursues the truth, digging through records, databases and people’s differing accounts.
• Believes in the importance of exposing wrongs and strives to tell revelatory, powerful stories.
• Is self-disciplined and has excellent editorial judgment and interpersonal skills.
• Is comfortable working both independently and on collaborative projects.
• Can juggle weekly stories and longer-range enterprise and investigative work.
• Is comfortable filing public records requests and can explain the broader context to readers.
• Can write quickly, cleanly and accurately on deadline.
• Is able to speak publicly about their work and represent The Monitor at events.
• Knowledge of Maine institutions is a plus.

Specifically, you will be responsible for:

• Reporting several stories a month, including shorter pieces and longer investigative work, in consultation with Monitor editors.
• Developing a beat and maintaining source networks.
• Pitching stories and taking assignments as needed.
• Upholding the highest standards of journalism ethics and accuracy.
• Working with Monitor staff on audience engagement strategies pegged to specific stories, including public appearances, social media posts, radio interviews and TV interviews.
• Collaborating with other reporters on stories as needed.
• Filing public records requests.
• Taking photographs or developing graphics to accompany your stories.

We know there are great candidates who have skills we haven’t thought of, or who may have experiences different from what we’ve described. If that’s you, reach out and tell us about yourself! 

We are taking steps to make our newsroom better reflect the diverse communities we cover. We especially encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including women, people of color, LGBTQ people and people with disabilities.

Where you’ll be, compensation and benefits:

This position is based in Maine. Work can be done from home, but does involve travel for in-person story research and interviews and occasional visits to our offices in Augusta and Hallowell. We are a statewide news organization; the person who takes this job must be willing and able to travel to communities around Maine for reporting.

• $55,000 to $58,000 annual salary
• Employer-sponsored health, dental, eye insurance
• Cell phone stipend (nontaxable)
• Retirement savings plan with a 3% employer match
• Expense reimbursement, according to published policy
• Short-term disability insurance
• 15 days of paid time off in the first year of work; 20 days starting with the second year of employment. 
• 6 personal/sick days. 
• Remote work and flex time
• 13 ½ paid holidays 

NOTE: The reporter position is an exempt position. The position is included within a bargaining unit with terms and conditions of employment to be governed by a collective bargaining agreement. 

To Apply

Via this Google form, please submit a cover letter, resume and story pitch. The resume should include at least three references and the cover letter should include how your interests align with the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting and how your background and skills make you a strong candidate for the position. For the story pitch, please pitch us a story related to criminal justice in Maine and explain how you’d approach the reporting process. (Max. 600 words) Applications must be received before October 11, 2026. Please email contact@themainemonitor.org with any questions or if you have any problems with the Google form.

NOTE: Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process including the completion of a background check that includes criminal history.

The Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting/The Maine Monitor is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, marital or parental status, disability, citizenship, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law. We prohibit and will not tolerate any such discrimination or harassment.

The Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting and The Maine Monitor serve all of Maine and the diverse communities across Maine. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive board and staff that reflects the society on which we report. We are committed to fostering a workplace in which our employees can grow, express themselves and contribute to the mission and future of our organization.

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