Tech Reporter

If you are a journalist who always knows the latest developments in AI and can explain how Supreme Court rulings about topics like online privacy and net neutrality affect our lives as Californians, you might be the next tech reporter at CalMatters.

We want someone to report on how one of the highest profile segments of California’s economy gets shaped by policy and how it impacts Californians, and at times, the nation. This job is about helping people understand how policy shapes their everyday life, from the phones they use to their child’s education. In addition to reporting on high-profile topics like AI, broadband access, online privacy and cybersecurity, this reporter should strive to be ahead of the curve and find the big issues before they become the big issues. This reporter will also cover the state of California’s IT capabilities and the effect it has on the way government is run.

This is a rich beat with a variety of human, business and political stories.

This ideal candidate is a proactive problem solver who can clearly explain complicated concepts in a concise and relatable way. They will need to illustrate within their stories why average Californians should care about topics like cyber ransoms, the digital divide, and right to repair laws.

Responsibilities include:

Report and write longform and short stories and multimedia presentations about California technology issues with close attention to state policies and legislation, the lobby community and advocates.
Appeal to a broad audience in a big diverse state with keen awareness about social and cultural distinctions and story sources that reflect our population.
Participate in radio shows, public events and live video.
Regularly contribute to WhatMatters, CalMatters’ daily newsletter.
Work with our data, visual and social media journalists to create the best presentations of economy stories.

These are requirements:

Demonstrated ability to quickly learn about complex topics and make them relatable.
Experience working in a newsroom environment at an entry-level position or internship
Based in California

These would be a plus:

Ability to occasionally be in Sacramento
Experience covering technology and public policy

Compensation and Benefits:

The salary range for this position is $65,000 to $75,000 per year; higher compensation may be available for someone with advanced skills and/or experience.