Job Details

Summary:

The Press Democrat is looking for a reporter to helm one of our most important beats: public education in Sonoma and Napa counties. This job focuses on the North Bay's primary and secondary schools, including roughly four dozen K-12 districts, a pair of community colleges and one university. The work involves a mix of quick-turn daily assignments, features, long-form narrative stories and watchdog investigations. Our education coverage balances mainstays of the beat, including reporting on student academic outcomes and school and district performance with a focus on youth wellness that came out of the coronavirus pandemic and multiple years of devastating wildfires in the region.

A critical component of this job going forward is reporting on the fiscal health of districts and college systems in our region, many of which are struggling with deficits as enrollment drops, costs soar and one-time funding dries up. The watchdog element of this job involves tracking that public spending to help our readers understand the tax proposals on their ballots and the sharp tensions that underlie budget discussions about teacher pay. We also carve out considerable space for coverage of solutions and we are looking for a journalist ready to roam far and wide to report stories that raise questions and engage readers in new and thoughtful ways.

What you will do:

• Lead comprehensive coverage of public education in the region, focusing primarily on the largest K-12 districts in Sonoma and Napa counties
• Deliver a strong mix of daily spot news, enterprise assignments, and deep-dive projects that showcase investigative and narrative depth
• Drive feature and watchdog reporting for the area's three higher-education institutions: Santa Rosa Junior College, Napa Valley College, and Sonoma State University
• Look beyond official board agendas to develop original, proactive story angles while covering essential daytime and evening meetings and events
• Serve as the chief envoy in forging the vital relationships needed to secure the school and classroom access our journalists depend on
• Navigate the complex landscape of California education policy, politics, and funding, translating these intricate topics into clear, easily digestible stories for everyday readers
• Scrutinize public budgets and confidently pose challenging questions to elected officials and bureaucrats

What you will bring:

• Proven ability to translate intricate institutional topics into clear, compelling, and easily digestible stories for everyday readers
• Comfort analyzing public budgets and the confidence to pose challenging questions to elected officials and bureaucrats
• Capacity to manage a steady volume of daily news while staying motivated to uncover and pursue long-form, investigative watchdog opportunities
• Precise and exacting journalism standards, alongside comfort using social media, capturing video, and handling occasional photo assignments
• Fluency in a second language - especially Spanish - is highly valued and of great use on this beat
• At least 2 - 3 years of daily newspaper reporting experience, with a strong preference for previous education beat coverage
• A Bachelor's degree is required; a university or post-graduate degree in journalism is welcomed

Benefits and Compensation:

The hourly range is $28.33 - $32.74 + cell phone stipend. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to geographic location, education, work experience, time in role, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, the Company offers eligible employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, 401k, as well as paid time off and select paid holidays (all benefits are based on eligibility). Please click the following link for more detailed information: www.mymedianewsgroup.com

Who we are:

The Press Democrat, a subsidiary of MediaNews Group, is the leading source of news and information for Sonoma and Napa counties. We are dedicated to providing in-depth local journalism that informs, engages, and holds power accountable. As part of the Northern California Community Newspapers group, The Press Democrat joins forces with sister publications across the region to provide comprehensive local and regional coverage. We are a dynamic, community-focused news organization committed to serving our readers with integrity and innovation across print and digital platforms. Join a team passionate about making a difference in the communities we cover.

"4x Built In Best Places to Work Winner - 2023-2026"

EEO Statement:

We are an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.

How To Apply:

• Please submit an online application along with your resume for this position here. In addition to your resume, please include a cover letter and 2 - 3 samples that showcase your best work.

Closing Date:

• Continuous recruitment until the position is filled

Conditions of Employment:

• A full pre-employment background check and MVR will be conducted as part of the selection process. Must be willing to submit and pass the necessary required checks
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and have reliable transportation
• Travel - This position entails occasional driving for work assignments, in-person training sessions and/or meetings. The employee will be responsible for transporting themselves between different sites as needed
• Must be available for shift work. May be required to work various hours for coverage outside of normal business hours

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