| Date Posted | August 19, 2024 |
|---|---|
| Industry | Newspapers |
| Specialty | Other |
| Required Education | Bachelor's Degree |
| Job Status | Full-time |
Description:
The Olympian seeks an aggressive, enterprising reporter to cover state government news for McClatchy’s four Washington news organizations: The Olympian, The News Tribune in Tacoma, The TriCity Herald and The Bellingham Herald.
This position covers the state Legislature, the governor, statewide agencies and the judicial branch of Washington state. The reporter is tasked with covering breaking news and telling deep, enterprising stories that make a difference in the lives of our readers, hold officials accountable, and unearth the impact of their actions.
You’ll be part of the state press corps representing publications around the state, and part of The Olympian’s small team of local reporters who work hard to break news and provide ambitious coverage of the South Sound.
Responsibilities include coverage of issues affecting the entire state or the regions where our readers live, serving as a watchdog over state government, and breaking news at the Capitol.
The successful candidate will have a strong reporting background and fluency in what makes a story a success in the digital space, from an excellent sense of audience and mission to strong SEO, compelling headlines and video storytelling.
OUR NEWS ORGANIZATION
Join the newsroom that won last year’s Washington Coalition for Open Government’s top prize for its stories about lawmakers using “legislative privilege” – an untested concept – to withhold public information. That is just the most recent example of how The Olympian puts a premium on breaking stories first as well as investing in hard-nosed, accountability journalism that our audience can’t get anywhere else.
Our journalism focuses on providing reliable information, questioning authority, spotlighting problems, highlighting solutions and truly making a difference. And we are part of McClatchy, a digitally driven company focused on innovation, with newsrooms in 30 communities in the United States.
We are located in Olympia, Washington’s state capital at the southern tip of the beautiful Puget Sound region. It is not only the hub of state news but an interesting place to live, with an excellent quality of life. Our community offers an expansive arts scene, unique restaurants and many opportunities for outdoor recreation in the Cascade and Olympic mountains, on the water, or at the beach. We’re also only 60 miles from Seattle and 100 miles from Portland, Oregon.
JOB DUTIES
In this role, you will need to:
-Focus on stories that build readership.
-Think about audience first and always, with a commitment to tactics that grow readership.
-Master engaging multimedia storytelling.
-Demonstrate speed, competitiveness and SEO savvy.
-Work well in a team environment.
SKILLS AND TRAINING
-Strong writing skills, excellent news judgment and a demonstrated ability to “see the story” that is going to matter to readers.
-Unwavering commitment to accurate, ethical journalism.
-Ability to build source networks and bring a constant flow of story ideas.
-Ability to work collaboratively to aggressively tackle stories.
-Enthusiasm for learning new skills and technologies, such as AI.
-Comfort with a job that will be demanding, fast-paced and constantly evolving.
-Facility with data, public records and business reports.
-Must have reliable transportation. Must have valid driver’s license and vehicle insurance required.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
The successful candidate should meet many, though not necessarily all, of the following requirements:
-College degree, preferably in journalism or related field.
-A minimum of 3 years of reporting experience.
-Some knowledge of and experience covering state government.
SALARY
The anticipated starting salary for this position is $67,724.80 per year. This is a salaried position. Individual base pay may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, department equity and relevant education.
WHAT THE OLYMPIAN OFFERS
As a journalist at McClatchy, you will join a supportive, flexible, collaborative team. McClatchy strives to be an employer of choice, and our benefits package is made with this goal in mind. With a focus on health, well-being, wealth and daily life, our package options include healthcare coverage for employees and their families, financial protection from expected and unexpected expenses, multiple no-cost wellness resources and even coverage for four-legged friends.
Our overall benefits package also includes a 401(k) with employer match, competitive paid time off and corporate holidays, and a variety of mental health benefits. For more information on McClatchy's benefit plan, please visit McClatchyLivewell.com
TO APPLY
To apply, include a persuasive cover letter, your resume and four to six examples of your best work.
About McClatchy
Our impact is growing every day. 30 growing markets. Over 65 million monthly readers. 57 Pulitzer Prizes. A strong portfolio of dynamic partnerships and smart investments. Our award-winning journalism, digital reach, and commitment to innovative growth have never been stronger.
As a member of the McClatchy family, you are part of a flexible, empowering, and exciting culture dedicated to creating a work/life balance and consistent opportunities for growth – a place where you have a voice and the ability to impact our future. It’s an exciting time to be here. Our company is experiencing the most transformative period in its history. We’re growing rapidly in the digital space and delivering award-winning journalism in innovative ways.
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