Reporter, Homelessness and Social Services

We’re seeking a curious, hard-charging reporter who’s a self-starter with high ambitions and strong storytelling skills. We believe that how society treats its most vulnerable and its poor is a true indicator of the character of that community. We live in a beautiful corner of California that -- like so many other cities, big and small -- is confronted with a surging homeless problem, fueled by economic inequities and overwhelming mental health challenges. We are searching for someone with great passion for these topics with a proven track record for developing a strong network of sources – local advocates, social service agencies, philanthropic organizers, mental health experts and national leaders immersed in the topic. We want to broaden our coverage beyond homeless camps, neighborhood squabbles and police interventions. Comfort with public documents (including non-profit tax documents) is an obvious requirement, but, so, too, is the ability to navigate the social service network and report stories through the lens of equity, an uncertain economy and public health. We know untreated mental illness, substance abuse/addiction, poverty and abusive family environments contribute to the struggles of our community’s most vulnerable. We want to examine those problems, obviously, but of equal importance is the pursuit of potential solutions, found in other markets around the country.