Reporter

MediaNews Group•Walnut Creek, CA

2d•$28 - $31•Remote

About The Position

The East Bay Times is hiring a Contra Costa County reporter to break news, hold public officials accountable, and explain how government decisions affect residents. The beat covers county government and issues shaping communities across Contra Costa, including housing and development, public health, safety-net services, and taxpayer spending. Coverage includes the Board of Supervisors, county departments, and elected offices, with an emphasis on stories that matter across the county and resonate throughout the Bay Area. The reporter will build strong sources, examine public records, and report from communities to understand the effects of government decisions. The role balances daily news coverage with deeper enterprise reporting, and requires working independently as well as collaborating with newsroom colleagues. This is a remote position, but candidates must live in the Contra Costa County coverage area or near the closest Bay Area News Group office.

Requirements

At least five years of professional journalism experience.
Strong news judgment, curiosity, and a competitive drive.
A proven track record of original reporting that goes beyond surface-level coverage.
Experience developing sources and using public records and data to uncover stories.
Ability to explain complex government decisions through their effects on people.
High standards for accuracy, fairness, and verification.
Ability to manage multiple stories under deadline pressure.
Comfort reporting and publishing across digital platforms and social media.
Must reside in the Contra Costa County coverage area or near the closest Bay Area News Group office.
Must be willing to submit to and pass required pre-employment checks, including a background check and MVR.
Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.
Must be available for shift work and may need to work various hours outside normal business hours.

Nice To Haves

Experience covering government, public policy, or accountability.
Additional language skills.

Responsibilities

Break news on county government, public spending, and major developments affecting Contra Costa residents.
Explain what is changing, who is affected, and what is at stake beyond meetings and announcements.
Build sources across county agencies, local government, neighborhoods, businesses, and community organizations.
Use public records, documents, and data to uncover original stories and hold institutions accountable.
Report on public-service delivery, tracing decisions from policy and funding through their consequences for residents.
Develop enterprise stories that reveal emerging problems, examine potential solutions, and capture changes in county communities.
Collaborate with colleagues on stories that cross geographic and beat boundaries.
Report and publish across platforms in real time, updating stories as news develops.
Write clear, engaging stories with authority.