Business Reporter, Affordability

Date Posted	May 03, 2024
Industry	Newspapers
Specialty	Business/Technology
Job Status	Full-time

Description:

The Seattle Times, a family-owned news organization and one of the nation’s premier regional news sources, is seeking a business reporter to cover affordability, income gaps and wealth disparities in our region. In this role, the reporter will dig into the cost of living and doing business in the Seattle area, and its impact on our communities. The reporter will write explanatory articles and seek expert advice that helps readers navigate their financial life, cover related news and craft enterprise pieces that uncover the roots of wealth disparity in our region.  

Responsibilities

• Pitch and cover cost of living topics such as health care, household expenses, employment, education, childcare and housing, and unravel the business stories that drive the rise in costs.
• Illuminate the impact of income gaps and wealth disparities on our communities.
• Report and write explanatory articles about financial planning and financial literacy.
• Report and write daily news stories examining the cost of living and doing business.
• Be inclusive in coverage, developing a range of sources and story ideas that fairly represent the rich cultural diversity of our region.
• Use analytics to inform coverage decisions.
• Collaborate with editors and reporters across the newsroom, and contribute to major breaking news coverage as needed.
• Work with digital producers, photographers and designers to coordinate visuals and online stories.

Qualifications
We are committed to diversity and creating an inclusive newsroom, and encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply. If your profile doesn’t match this job description exactly, you may still be a candidate for this position. Please let us know how your skills and experience relate to the role and its objectives.

• Experience: At least five years’ experience working as a reporter for a news organization.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree or relevant equivalent experience.
• Be familiar with digital news production, social media and analytics.
• Be able to analyze facts and data and make judgments about relevance, newsworthiness and fairness under pressure and on deadline. 
• Have a record of untangling complex topics and presenting them in engaging writing.
• Be able to write clearly, accurately and creatively and meet deadlines.
• Be well-acquainted with inclusive journalism practices.
• Must understand and uphold the standards, ethics and mission of journalism at The Seattle Times, regardless of platform.

Work Schedule: This is a hybrid position based in Seattle that requires occasional night and weekend work.

Compensation: The full salary range for this position is $60,000 to $101,500. We typically pay between $60,000 to $85,000, depending on experience and qualifications. 

Benefits: 

• Medical, dental, vision, and long-term disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Optional life and AD&D insurance and long-term care insurance
• 401(k) plan with employer match
• 10 days of annual vacation accrual, increasing with tenure up to 20 days
• 10 days of annual sick accrual; unused sick pay accrues to an extended illness bank
• 9 paid holidays
• Internet stipend for predominately remote employees
• Subsidized transit cards
• Complimentary Seattle Times subscription
• Wellness program
• Parental leave options

Please Note: This position requires both a pre-employment drug screen (excluding cannabis) and a criminal background check once an offer has been made. As a union-represented position, you will also be required to join a union and pay regular membership dues. 

Founded in 1896, The Seattle Times continues its tradition as a family-owned, Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper that cuts through the clutter and provides readers with timely, relevant news. We serve the Pacific Northwest with thoughtful, independent journalism that makes a real difference in our community. And as a media solutions company, we combine cutting-edge digital capabilities and service with the values and integrity of respected traditional media… with an established audience of 1.9 million. At The Seattle Times, you'll find work that matters.

If you need assistance to accommodate a disability, please contact Human Resources at careers@seattletimes.com and provide a description of the reasonable accommodation(s) needed.