Local Government/Politics Reporter

Date Posted	January 19, 2026
Industry	Digital Media
Specialty	Not Specified
Job Status	Not Specified
Salary	Not Specified

Description:

About Us

Suncoast Searchlight is a nonprofit newsroom delivering accountability journalism across Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties. From development battles and environmental crises to high-stakes political clashes, the Suncoast offers no shortage of stories that directly shape people’s lives.

We’re seeking a reporter dedicated to covering local government and politics with urgency and depth. While others focus on meeting recaps, we focus on power: how decisions are made, who benefits, who gets left out and what it means for everyday people. Strong local journalism is essential to democracy, and we exist to serve the public interest.

About You

You’re a beat reporter at heart — curious, relentless and energized by being out in the community. You don’t wait for press releases. You show up, build sources, spot patterns and break stories.

You understand where power shows up in local government and how it shapes people’s lives. You know how to ask hard questions, use public records to get answers and make sure the people most affected by decisions are at the center of your reporting. You’re comfortable working at a fast pace, turning timely accountability stories while also pushing longer-term enterprise and investigative work forward.

This is not a desk job. It’s a reporting-forward role that demands strong judgment, stamina and sharp news instincts. You’ll be out in the community, at meetings and on the phone, expected to produce at least two stories a week — some quick-turn, others more ambitious — without losing sight of the bigger picture.

What You’ll Do

• Report and write two or more stories per week, balancing quick-turn accountability coverage with deeper enterprise pieces
• Cover city, county and regional government across Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties
• Regularly attend public meetings to report, source and surface story ideas
• Break stories by cultivating sources within government agencies, advocacy groups, watchdog organizations and impacted communities
• Investigate how public money is spent, how decisions are made and who benefits
• Collaborate with newsroom colleagues and partner outlets on larger investigations
• Engage with the community to identify emerging issues and under-covered stories

Preferred Qualifications

• At least five years of reporting experience, including at least two years covering local government or politics
• Proven ability to produce accountability journalism with real-world impact
• Strong news judgment and the ability to work at a fast, consistent pace
• Excellent reporting and writing skills, especially on complex topics
• Commitment to inclusive sourcing and community-centered reporting
• Comfort using digital tools, public records and social media to report and share stories

Nice, But Not Required

• Data reporting skills and familiarity with tools like Excel, Google Sheets and some coding
• Experience taking and editing photos and video
• Familiarity using data visualization tools like Flourish, Infogram and Tableau
• Comfort with content management systems and posting stories to websites
• Ability to speak a second language, preferably Spanish

Don't Meet Our Requirements?

But still think you're right for the job? Submit an application and tell us why.

Why Join Us? This is an opportunity to do impactful journalism in a region where this kind of work is urgently needed. As a member of our growing team, you’ll play a critical role in shaping the direction and future of our newsroom. You’ll work with passionate colleagues dedicated to producing top-notch journalism that drives change. You’ll earn between $75,000 to $100,000 (depending on your experience and skill set), with a health plan and 401K.

Position Funding/Long-Term Plans: This position is funded thanks to a grant from the Nancy Jo Marchisello Charitable Fund at Gulf Coast Community Foundation. The grant supports the role for one year, with the opportunity to apply for renewals in years two and three. Suncoast Searchlight will actively pursue additional funding to diversify our revenue streams and work toward making this a permanent position.

Hybrid Job: You must be willing to live in this region (Sarasota, Manatee, DeSoto counties) to cover the community. Exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis for candidates living just outside these counties. Although some work from home will be permitted, we are a highly collaborative team and will meet at – and work frequently from – our Sarasota-based newsroom.

How to Apply: Send a resume, cover letter and 3-5 samples of your best work to executive editor-in-chief Emily Le Coz at emily@suncoastsearchlight.org. Work samples can be links to online stories; if they’re behind a paywall, please include PDFs of clips instead. Be sure to include a brief description of each clip and mention any impact from your reporting.

Suncoast Searchlight is a project of the newly reconstituted Community News Collaborative, a nonprofit, Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex, gender, gender identity or expression.