Education/Government Reporter

The Tribune in San Luis Obispo, California, is looking for an energetic, versatile journalist to cover education and local government in SLO County. We’re seeking someone who can balance the fast pace of breaking news and quick-turnaround stories with in-depth, longer-form journalism that connects with our communities and holds government leaders accountable. The primary function of this beat is covering K-12 education and Cal Poly, the California State University campus in San Luis Obispo. This is a juicy beat that’s always ripe for great headlines. This position also has some regional coverage, keeping tabs on local governments and businesses in our South County area, as well as some breaking news as needed. The ideal candidate for this position is a person who loves building relationships, is highly organized and is a strong communicator and collaborator. We have a cohesive newsroom of journalists who look out for each other and are always willing to pitch in. Each of our reporters rotates on a one-day-a-week breaking news schedule that keeps them sharp and up-to-date on all the processes of creating, posting and promoting stories so that they reach the widest audience in a timely manner. We’re looking for an independent, self-motivated person who can spot and report stories without waiting for the assignment and who can cultivate reliable sources. The qualified candidate can quickly and accurately report live stories using video, social and other digital tools. The importance of headlines, SEO and strong visuals cannot be underestimated, and the best candidate knows this. You understand how to grow readership because you’ve tracked the performance of your stories in the digital space, using analytics tools such as Chartbeat or Parse.ly. You are eager to learn new skills that will enhance your reporting, such as creating Google Forms and polls to engage with our readership and learn about their needs as news consumers or using data visualization tools to add richness to your storytelling.