California Governor Reporter

The Sacramento Bee Capitol Bureau is seeking a competitive reporter to break news and develop exclusive reporting on one of our marquee beats: California’s governor.

We’re seeking a hard-charging journalist to cover one of the most high-profile governors in the country. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s national stature is growing as Democrats contend with questions about passing the torch to a new generation of Democratic leaders. In California, Newsom is grappling with housing costs, homelessness, climate change, criminal justice, budget shortfalls and more during his second term in office, all while very publicly endeavoring to raise his profile.

We’re looking for a reporter who can deliver coverage that interprets Newsom’s role, holds him accountable for his words and actions and keeps a close eye on his future political ambitions.

This journalist will be part of The Sacramento Bee’s Capitol Bureau, a group of aggressive reporters who cover the policies and politics of the largest state in the nation and the fourth-largest economy in the world. We’re seeking an enterprising reporter who can deliver both quick-turn daily coverage and more in-depth accountability journalism.

This journalist will be based in Sacramento, one of the most compelling political cities in the country, and will have opportunities to collaborate with experienced journalists in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., as well as with colleagues in other McClatchy California newsrooms.

Candidates should have exceptional reporting and writing skills, along with 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, the reporter must have demonstrated the desire and skills to build audience loyalty, engagement and growth around compelling public service journalism.

At The Sacramento Bee, the reader comes first. Serving readers in a crowded media marketplace means being the best and most relevant source of journalism that matters to them — and ensuring that our work reaches them, wherever they are. This will require a keen understanding of what’s important to readers, developed through reporting on and familiarity with the region; through the extensive use of audience analytics such as social media referrals and time spent on a story; and through awareness of what people are sharing and talking about on social media.

What You'll Bring

• At least five years of reporting experience
• Strong writing and reporting skills and excellent news judgment
• Unwavering commitment to accurate, ethical journalism
• Demonstrated ability to use social media platforms to reach and engage with audiences
• Fluency in the science of readership and engagement, including an understanding of how to use analytics such as page views, time on site, referral sources and “shares and likes” to help determine which stories resonate with which audiences
• Strong interpersonal skills, including empathy and the ability to take and give constructive criticism.
• Demonstrated ability to work comfortably in a job that will be fast-paced, data-driven, shaped constantly by feedback and experimentation
• Enthusiasm for learning new skills and technologies, such as AI
• Willingness to live in the Sacramento region
  
  

The anticipated annual salary for this position is between $73,000 and $88,000. Individual base pay may vary within that range depending on job-related knowledge, department equity, skills, experience, and relevant education.

To apply, please include a cover letter, your resume and four to six examples of your best work.

What We’ll Bring

As a journalist at McClatchy, you will join a supportive, flexible, collaborative team. McClatchy strives to be an employer of choice, and our benefits package is made with this goal in mind. With a focus on well-being and daily life, our package options include healthcare coverage for employees and their families, financial protection from expected and unexpected expenses, multiple no-cost wellness resources and even coverage for four-legged friends.

Our overall benefits package also includes a 401(k) with employer match, competitive paid time off and corporate holidays, and a variety of mental health benefits. For more information on McClatchy's benefit plan, please visit McClatchyLivewell.com.

About McClatchy

Our impact is growing every day. We have 30 growing news markets. Over 65 million monthly readers. 56 Pulitzer Prizes. A strong portfolio of dynamic partnerships and smart investments. Our award-winning journalism, digital reach, and commitment to innovative growth have never been stronger.

As a member of the McClatchy family, you are part of an exciting culture dedicated to creating a work/life balance and consistent opportunities for growth — a place where you have a voice and the ability to impact our future. It’s an exciting time to be here. Our company is experiencing the most transformative period in its history. We’re growing rapidly in the digital space and delivering award-winning journalism in innovative ways.