City Hall Reporter
The Seattle Times, a family-owned news organization and one of the nation’s premier regional news sources, is hiring a City Hall Reporter. This key reporter will lead coverage that focuses on the way politics and the political process in Seattle and beyond affect lives in the city, the region and our state.
We seek a skilled reporter who will develop deep sourcing, break news, analyze trends and serve as a watchdog while covering City Hall, including the Seattle mayor’s office, city council and public agencies. We’re looking for someone who can juggle spot news, enterprise and news features, political analysis and accountability stories. This reporter should be adept at deciphering the real-life impacts of governmental actions and policies and explain those impacts them to our diverse audience. The ideal candidate is a mid-career reporter capable of handling a mix of daily beat coverage and longer-term enterprise.
Responsibilities:
Develop diverse and knowledgeable sources who will help break news and add context and perspective to our coverage.
Write breaking news stories quickly followed by updates that add detail and context.
Identify stories that will drive readership, in part by using social media, reader callouts and audience analytics.
Write clear, focused stories with a variety of approaches, including alternative story formats.
Be immersed in Seattle’s elections to fully understand the issues, climate, personalities and voters.
Work with a team led by an Assistant Metro Editor/Politics Editor and collaborate with reporters on other teams on issues ranging from public safety and homelessness to transportation and education.
Work with colleagues in Photo, Graphics/Interactives and the Digital Audience Team to coordinate visuals and digital assets for stories.
The successful candidate will be an enthusiastic colleague and a champion of our core values of accuracy, journalistic ethics and inclusiveness.
Qualifications:
We are committed to diversity and creating an inclusive newsroom, and we encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply. If your profile doesn’t match this job description exactly, you may still be a candidate for this position. Please let us know how your skills and experience relate to the role and its objectives in your cover letter.
Experience: At least three years’ work as a reporter for a newsgathering organization.
Education: Bachelor’s degree or relevant equivalent experience.
Experience breaking news and writing quick, accurate posts that are followed by more complete stories that provide necessary context and perspective.
Ability to file public-record requests and search databases.
Experience in watchdog and accountability journalism.
Experience in traditional, shoe-leather reporting, as well as using social media and online tools to find and source stories.
Collaborative spirit; diplomacy when communicating up, down and across teams.
Cultural competence and awareness of best practices related to inclusive journalism.
Strong command of standards, ethics and the mission of journalism at The Seattle Times.
Compensation: The full salary range for this position is $60,000 to $101,500. We typically pay between $60,000 to $85,000, depending on experience and qualifications.
Benefits:
Medical, dental, vision, and long-term disability insurance
Employee assistance program
Optional life and AD&D insurance and long-term care insurance
401(k) plan with employer match
10 days of annual vacation accrual, increasing with tenure up to 20 days
10 days of annual sick accrual; unused sick pay accrues to an extended illness bank
9 paid holidays
Internet stipend for predominately remote employees
Subsidized transit cards
Complimentary Seattle Times subscription
Wellness program
Parental leave options