Politics Reporter, California Post (Sacramento Based)

New York Post•San Francisco, CA

5d•$95,000 - $125,000

About The Position

The New York Post is heading West – and this is your chance to be a part of history as we open a brand-new newsroom and make a significant investment in Los Angeles. As part of this bold expansion into Los Angeles, we are looking for a Politics Reporter to join the California Post team. The Politics Reporter will cover the fast-moving world of California politics and government, breaking down how decisions in Sacramento, Los Angeles, and beyond impact communities across the state. This role will require a journalist who is quick on their feet, able to dig deep into political stories, and skilled at turning complex policy into sharp, accessible reporting for a wide audience. The Politics Reporter will be expected to move quickly on breaking stories, build and maintain a strong network of political sources, and balance day-to-day coverage with enterprise and watchdog reporting. This role demands a journalist who is deeply engaged with California’s political landscape, understands all levels of government and knows how to break the stories that matter most to readers.

Requirements

At least five years of newsroom reporting experience, with a strong focus on Californian politics.
Proven track record of breaking news, cultivating sources, and producing original, high-impact reporting that advances the story.
Strong editorial judgment and the ability to move quickly on breaking news without sacrificing accuracy or context.
Ability to file clean, clear, and engaging copy under tight deadlines, with an eye for both speed and depth.
Experience leveraging social media, digital tools, and open-source reporting techniques to surface and verify stories.
Familiarity with FOIA requests, public records, and other accountability reporting methods.
Comfort analyzing and interpreting polling, election results, budgets, and other datasets to strengthen coverage.
Proficiency with WordPress or similar CMS platforms is required; data literacy and multimedia familiarity strongly preferred.
Strong writing and reporting skills are the core of this role.
Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and irregular hours as news demands in a fast-paced environment.
Strong collaboration and communication skills, with experience working across teams in a digital-first newsroom.

Nice To Haves

On-camera experience is strongly preferred, as we’re looking for reporters who are comfortable discussing and presenting their stories on video to help extend our journalism across digital and social platforms.

Responsibilities

Research, report, and write breaking news and enterprise stories on California politics and the actions of government.
Cover local and statewide political developments including legislative battles, policy shifts, protests, elections, and key political figures.
Break exclusive stories and identify fresh angles on widely covered issues.
Develop and maintain a robust network of political sources, from lawmakers and staffers to advocates and community leaders.
Monitor political developments in real time, ensuring the California Post is first and authoritative on the biggest stories.
Analyze and explain how government decisions impact communities across Los Angeles and the state.
Leverage social media, public records, FOIA requests, and multimedia platforms as reporting tools.
Monitor and analyze press conferences, legislation, court documents, and other public records.
File timely updates while also developing in-depth enterprise pieces.
Collaborate with editors and fellow reporters to shape sharp, fast, and engaging coverage, and provide national context to local political stories.
Produce fast, accurate copy that captures the nuance of California politics with the Post’s signature voice.