Local Accountability Reporter

The Sacramento Bee is looking for a competitive, enterprising reporter to break news and hold local government leaders and institutions accountable for their decisions. This beat offers the opportunity to develop exclusive reporting on local government in Sacramento County and the surrounding region, and we’re seeking a versatile reporter who can deliver both daily breaking-news coverage and more in-depth watchdog journalism. Our accountability reporter will help readers understand how local government affects their lives, focusing on the nexus of public policy, how elected officials spend taxpayer money and the diverse communities affected by these decisions. Strong source-building skills are essential for this position, as is the ability to move beyond meeting coverage and see the big-picture story that resonates with our audience. While you’ll write about local government, your priority will be accountability journalism that matters to readers — not coverage of bureaucratic processes or meeting recaps. Candidates should have experience in government reporting and a talent for explaining complex information in terms that are engaging and easy to understand. The successful candidate will have a demonstrated commitment to fairness and accuracy, in fact and in tone, and a strong grounding in journalism ethics. Like all McClatchy journalists, this reporter must have the desire and skills to build audience loyalty, engagement and growth around compelling public service journalism.