Senior Reporter (Courts & Crime), California Post
About The Position
As part of our bold expansion, we are seeking a driven Senior Reporter (Courts & Crime Focus) to join the California Post team. Reporting to the Deputy News Editor, this reporter will react quickly to major breaking news across the San Francisco Bay Area while bringing a strong background in courts, crime, and public safety. This role requires flexibility, sharp instincts, and a high-velocity reporting style—whether you’re covering a high-profile trial, responding to an emergency scene, or breaking down a rapidly developing regional story. You will be on the front lines of one of the nation’s most dynamic news environments, turning fast-moving events into clear, authoritative reporting.
Requirements
- 5–10 years of experience reporting for a fast-paced digital or print newsroom, with a strong background in general assignment, breaking news, or public safety beats.
- Superior news judgment with a proven ability to write fast, clean, and compelling copy on tight deadlines while managing multiple assignments.
- Strong familiarity with legal documents, court filings, and police operations, with the ability to translate complex legal jargon into clear, accessible prose.
- A relentless approach to newsgathering and a track record of building trusted sources across public safety and municipal agencies.
- Proficiency with CMS platforms (e.g., WordPress), SEO best practices, and social media distribution tools.
- A desire to be first and best on major breaking stories while maintaining the highest standards of journalistic integrity and accuracy.
Nice To Haves
- Strong preference for candidates comfortable discussing their stories on camera or presenting short-form video updates for digital platforms.
- Spanish or secondary language fluency.
- An established social media presence or professional digital following.
Responsibilities
- Cover real-time breaking events across the San Francisco Bay Area with speed, accuracy, and urgency for the California Post.
- Lead coverage on major criminal and civil court cases, law enforcement agency accountability, and high-impact crime trends shaping the region.
- Pivot seamlessly between spot news, trending digital stories, public safety incidents, and broader regional enterprise assignments as news breaks.
- Spot local stories with viral potential or national resonance and deliver exclusive angles before the competition.
- Cultivate strong relationships across law enforcement, city agencies, legal communities, emergency services, and local neighborhoods.
- File rapid updates across web, mobile, social media, and video platforms, continuously updating developing stories in real time.
- Actively monitor court filings, police blotters, public records, and social media feeds to spot scoops and emerging trends.
- Travel regularly to courthouses across the Bay Area to cover hearings, arraignments, trials, and major verdict announcements in person.
Benefits
- Comprehensive and competitive benefits package covering health, retirement, wellbeing, and more, along with optional benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
No Education Listed
