Reporter

MediaNews Group • San Jose, CA

2d • $32 - $41

About The Position

Midterms are around the corner, California’s top Democrats are eyeing the presidency, the state’s redistricting fight is just beginning, and the next Legislative session will tackle deeply consequential legislation affecting our readers. This new position on the Bay Area News Group’s regional enterprise team will cover the top political and government issues of the day with a keen focus on how they affect the Bay Area – from San Jose to Oakland and Walnut Creek to Redwood City. You’ll write about Silicon Valley’s influence and deep pockets, the Bay Area’s top leaders in Congress, and the impact of the region’s Republicans on politics and the electorate. Working with your Focus team colleagues, you’ll cover the legislative fights over housing costs, insurance, environmental regulations, homelessness, and education, while also assisting the Local team as they report on county and municipal politics and governments. Importantly, you’ll need to follow the money. You should have a keen eye for great stories, an eagerness to pivot as news demands change, and deep experience in source building that leads to breaking news. This job is located in San Jose, but we expect our Politics Reporter to make contacts and inroads in Sacramento. Join us in reimaging what’s possible in a quickly changing news environment. Help us inform the readers of our two regional daily newspapers – The Mercury News and the East Bay Times – and a website that reaches the world.

Requirements

• 3+ years of experience as a reporter
• Excellent news judgment and a drive to compete under deadline pressure
• Strong organizational and planning skills
• A university degree in journalism or a related field

Nice To Haves

• In our diverse region, facility with a second language is a plus

Responsibilities

• Report and write for our print and digital readers, including quick hits for our websites, centerpiece stories for the front page and deeply reported enterprise for a sophisticated print audience that appreciates excellent reporting, balanced perspectives and a regional focus
• Collaborate with other news leaders across the newsroom in pursuit of the most important stories of the day
• Be prepared to jump outside your beat when necessary. We expect our regional enterprise reporters to be capable of anchoring the big story of the day
• Use data and campaign finance tools to follow the money in politics and government
• Use metrics to inform your coverage

Benefits

• The hourly range is $32.03 - $41.02 + cell phone stipend
• Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to geographic location, education, work experience, time in role, certifications, etc.
• In addition to your salary, the Company offers eligible employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, 401k, as well as paid time off and select paid holidays (all benefits are based on eligibility).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees