Reporter

MediaNews Group • Irvine, CA

1d • Remote

About The Position

The Orange County Register is seeking an experienced reporter to join its local news team full-time, covering key cities and other important topics in Orange County. The role involves watchdog reporting on public officials and county and city developments, and producing enterprise and breaking news for digital and print platforms. The reporter will cultivate sources in person and through social media, write compelling narratives and social posts, and use public records for investigative reporting. Although the position is remote, candidates must reside in Orange County or nearby counties. Employees in this role are represented by SCNG NewsGuild.

Requirements

• Strong news judgment and a drive to compete.
• Ability to write clean, concise copy that engages readers, including nut graphs and SEO-oriented online headlines.
• Skill in cultivating human sources, documents, and data, including mining public records.
• Ability to manage multiple stories of varying complexity, from quick posts under intense deadline pressure to daily news and longer-term enterprise reporting.
• Proficiency using the web and social media to report and share stories.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• At least two years of professional journalism experience.
• Must reside in Orange County or nearby counties.
• Must be willing to submit to and pass required pre-employment background and motor vehicle record checks.
• 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.
• Must transport themselves between sites as needed for occasional work assignments, in-person training, or meetings.

Nice To Haves

• Facility with multiple languages is a plus, particularly Spanish, Vietnamese, or Mandarin.
• Prior local government reporting experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Cover a variety of topics and write on deadline in a fast-paced environment.
• Take photographs for stories.
• Produce assigned stories and regularly pitch original story ideas.
• Research and develop stories accurately.
• Cultivate sources in person and through social media.
• Use company-provided hardware, software, and cloud-based equipment and systems for company business and tasks.
• Discuss stories with the assignment editor throughout the reporting process, including idea development, overcoming hurdles, editing, presentation strategy, and audience analytics.
• Work with photo and graphics teams to explore visual ways to tell or enhance stories.
• Collaborate positively with other local Register reporters.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, life, and disability insurance, subject to eligibility.
• 401(k), subject to eligibility.
• Paid time off and select paid holidays, subject to eligibility.
• Cell phone stipend.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level