Politics & Government Reporter

The Politics & Government Reporter covers policy, politics and government in Santa Clara County for San José Spotlight with a focus on enterprise and accountability reporting.

San José Spotlight is an award-winning nonprofit newsroom and nationally-recognized leader in the growing nonprofit news sector. Our journalists are dedicated to independent, solutions-driven journalism in the heart of Silicon Valley, an exciting market with no shortage of compelling stories that shape the national conversation.

Our reporters are flexible, with exceptional digital skills, including social media, and the ability to write compelling copy -- quickly and accurately.

Since 2019, we’ve produced fearless journalism that disrupts the status quo, uplifts marginalized voices, holds power to account and paves the way for change. As a nonprofit newsroom, we're rooted in civic purpose and driven by a mission to serve the community -- rather than profit, pageviews, or paywalls. We're local, independent and more diverse than traditional newsrooms.

REPORTER DUTIES

• Cover assigned governmental meetings and news events as assigned by editors. Use social media to build an audience, connect with readers while reporting in the field and keep them informed in real time.
• Frame news coverage through the lens of the most vulnerable, with a focus on communities of color, power and policy. Prioritize accountability and watchdog reporting.
• Ensure everyday people are at the center of our reporting, prioritizing diversity and voices of disenfranchised, underrepresented and/or minority communities, addressing the effect of government actions and public policies on businesses and residents. Be willing to ask tough questions.
• Must demonstrate a commitment to fairness and accuracy, in fact and in tone, and a strong grounding in journalism ethics and sourcing standards.
• Cultivate and build deep source relationships, and generate story ideas and pitches that focus on enterprise journalism, exploring new angles or leads.
• Arrange and create graphics, photos, video and other multimedia elements for stories.
• Work collaboratively with editors and other San José Spotlight journalists.

APPLY

• Email resume and a cover letter/statement of interest. Tell us why you are a good fit for San José Spotlight and how you would elevate our public service journalism to the next level.
• Contact information for 3 references.
• Links to 3-5 samples of your best work, including enterprise government and political reporting.

Email to San José Spotlight co-founder Ramona Giwargis: ramona@sanjosespotlight.com.