Local News Reporter

Date Posted	April 19, 2024
Industry	Newspapers
Specialty	Local News
Job Status	Full-time

Description:

Summary:
Bay Area News Group, East Bay, a subsidiary of MediaNews Group, is seeking a Local News Reporter to join the The Mercury News and East Bay Times team! If you're a dedicated local news journalist anxious to tell your readers what’s happening in the community around them, this is the job for you! We are looking for an energetic and resourceful reporter who can balance deeper reporting with the fast-paced news cycle. This reporter will be covering Alameda County – but we’re not only looking for coverage of county government. We also want stories that are grounded in the diverse and dynamic communities throughout the county. We want to tell the stories of these cities’ pasts, presents and futures -- how they are being shaped and reshaped by practical issues like housing costs, crime, and a changing job market, but also by cultural factors such as generational shifts and immigration.  The ideal journalist for this role will thrive in a fast- paced newsroom and be able to quickly and accurately report live stories while also pursuing enterprise stories.

Must be located in the South or East Bay Area. Must also have a valid drivers license and the ability to travel for reporting events.

What you will do:

• Provide primary coverage for our East Bay Times print and online local reports, but publish also in the daily Mercury News and weekly publications including the Hayward Review and Alameda Journal

• Generate regular breaking news and enterprise stories; keeping in mind the paper's desire to make stories distinctive and local for readers living in the area

• Be willing to spend time learning about the market and its residents and apply that knowledge to daily reporting

• Make clear to readers why they should care and/or how the news affects them; show a sense of urgency, making breaking news a top priority and showing a willingness to embrace last-minute changes in coverage plans and still meet critical deadlines for daily and weekend work and standards for high- impact journalism

• Adhere to the highest professional and ethical standards at all times and abide by the newspaper's written ethics policy; newsroom employees are on the front lines of protecting this newspaper's credibility

What you will bring:

• 2+ yrs of daily journalism experience; breaking news chops are essential, as is some experience with cultivating sources and using public records requests to advance reporting

• The ability to write sharp, clean copy, including headlines and nut graphs that distill why a story needs to be read and shared online

• A self-starter attitude, able to cultivate sources, break news, and report on stories that hold public agencies accountable and engage readers about patterns and trends in the Bay Area

• Digital storytelling experience and an intense curiosity for how news is consumed, shared, and searched for on the internet

• Comfort working on digital deadlines in a 24/7 news cycle, and the drive to best the competition on a regular basis

Along with your resume, please submit a cover letter and 3-4 writing clips.

The hourly wage is $25.00 - $31.26 ($52,000 - $65,020). Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, time in role, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, MediaNews Group offers a comprehensive benefits package, incentive and recognition program, and 401K plan (all benefits are based on eligibility).

Who we are:

The Bay Area News Group (Mercury News/East Bay Times), a subsidiary of MediaNews Group, offers news reporting and third party advertising and marketing opportunities through its multi-platform products which include: web, mobile, tablet, and print.  We are one of the largest media groups in the U.S., serving high-value audiences and connecting advertisers to them. MNG publishes award-winning content (49 Pulitzers) that amasses and engages a nationwide audience via 800 multi-media platforms including web, mobile, social, and print.  We are transforming the news industry. 

We are an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

“Built In Best Places to Work 2023 & 2024 Winner”