Political Enterprise Reporter

The Sacramento Bee is looking for a hard-charging, enterprising reporter to join a new team in a growing newsroom. Your mission will be to break political news and hold government leaders and institutions accountable for their decisions. This beat offers the opportunity to develop exclusive reporting on local and state government, and we’re seeking a versatile reporter who can deliver high-impact political enterprise that resonates with our readers.

You’ll be charged with identifying and digging into the untold political and government stories that matter in the Sacramento area and all of California. We’re looking for a reporter who can interpret the California political landscape and hold elected officials accountable for their decisions. You’ll help readers understand the political dynamics of a bright blue state that’s dotted with deep red, conservative communities, and you’ll report on big-picture political trends in a state that commands the entire country’s attention. 

In addition to breaking news through aggressive enterprise reporting and strong source development, this reporter will pursue exclusive enterprise stories that are essential to readers, hold leaders and institutions accountable and help readers understand the context of events and decisions that impact their lives.

Being adept at finding and building a digital audience by tapping into the themes and issues that affect large swaths of our readership is equally important.

We are looking for an experienced journalist who can handle a demanding mix of quick-turn enterprise and in-depth reporting, and who is deeply curious about political power and those who wield it. The ideal candidate would have experience covering politics, government and elections and a proven track record of using public records and data to find hidden stories.

The successful candidate will have a demonstrated and unwavering commitment to fairness and accuracy, in fact and in tone, and a strong grounding in journalism ethics. Like all McClatchy journalists, this reporter must have the desire and skills to build audience loyalty, engagement and growth around compelling public service journalism. 

If this is you, please apply.

Requirements:

• At least three years of reporting experience

• Ability to build robust, valuable source networks and bring a constant flow of story ideas

• Demonstrated skill at delivering exclusive and distinctive political stories that break news and advance storylines

• Strong writing and reporting skills

• Excellent news judgment and journalism ethics

• Ability to work collaboratively to aggressively tackle stories

• Comfort with a job that will be demanding, fast-paced and constantly evolving

• Ability to understand audience metrics and the tactics that move them

• Experience with data and public records

• Strong interpersonal skills, willingness to learn, grow and improve

• Must have reliable transportation.  Must have valid driver’s license and vehicle insurance required (at least minimum insurance required for the state in which the employee works)