Local Government Watchdog/Breaking News Reporter

USA Today•Palm Springs, CA

About The Position

The Desert Sun/desertsun.com, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, seeks a reporter to cover nine Coachella Valley cities and Riverside County government. The reporter will handle breaking news and enterprise reporting across topics including city government, social justice, local businesses, weather, traffic, and public safety. The role focuses on holding public officials accountable and helping the community make informed decisions, while pursuing local stories with potential statewide or national impact. The reporter will use public records, agendas, budgets, data, and sources to produce timely, well-sourced journalism across text, video, graphics, and social media. The position requires sound news judgment, strong audience engagement, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment. Applicants should submit a one- to two-page resume, a cover letter explaining their approach to the job, and links to three to six online work samples. The minimum hourly rate is $26.00; base compensation may vary based on factors including market, education, skills, certifications, and experience. Variable compensation, if applicable, is not included in the stated rate.

Requirements

At least two years of previous reporting or newsroom experience in digital journalism.
Clear and compelling writing for both breaking news and in-depth investigations.
Strong knowledge of AP style and grammar.
Good time-management and organizational skills.
Ability to quickly distill information and determine an appropriate course of action.
Familiarity with digital storytelling tools and techniques.
Basic aptitude in photography and videography.
Experience with video and alternative story formats.
Strong social media skills and audience-engagement experience.
Strong core journalism skills and a deep understanding of journalism ethics.
Self-motivated and self-directed.
Effective communication skills and ability to work with diverse personalities.
Ability to multitask and work under intense deadline pressure in a rapidly changing environment.
Ability to use time effectively and collaborate in a cross-functional environment.
Willingness to engage with peer-to-peer feedback and training.
Ability to apply innovative and creative thinking in support of company goals.
Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and the minimum liability insurance required by state law.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s or master’s degree in communications, journalism, marketing, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Familiarity with the Coachella Valley or Southern California.
Spanish-language skills.
Work samples demonstrating data-driven reporting and familiarity with FOIA requests.

Responsibilities

Report quickly, clearly, and accurately through stories, video, and social platforms to reach audiences.
Respond to breaking news and exercise fast, ongoing news judgment.
Research, write, report, photograph, and/or create video for a variety of stories.
Develop sources among city officials, community leaders, residents, first responders, and police.
Build trust and engage with sources and audiences on social media.
Experiment with ways to inform and engage audiences on social platforms and through alternative story formats.
Monitor real-time news and identify important and compelling stories for audiences.
Pursue enterprise and investigative work to uncover stories that other outlets are not reporting.
Use metrics and analytics to inform story choices and identify important daily news.
Write and/or produce multimedia content tailored to audience targets and designed for digital and social platforms.
Cover local government and watchdog issues, including public spending, schools, and neighborhood safety.