Fresno Civic Watchdog Reporter

The Fresno Bee seeks a high-energy, self-starting journalist who can explain how what happens inside Fresno’s corridors of power affects everyday citizens in the fifth-largest city in California and 35th largest in the United States.

This is not your traditional City Hall reporter job; your aim isn't simply to report on day-to-day government operations and meetings. Instead, our Fresno Civic Watchdog Reporter will be the personality and face of our local government report. With energy and expertise, this journalist will break down problems and help explain solutions to readers living and working in Fresno and the Central Valley.

We are looking for a reporter who can quickly become a local government insider, skilled at developing sources who are in-the-know and translating that knowledge, along with dogged reporting, into news (and daily scoops) relevant to Fresnan’s daily lives.

Fresno residents tell us they want journalism that starts with them, so this reporter is expected to treat community engagement as central to the job — showing up, listening, and creating coverage that reflects real concerns.

The city is fighting to address homelessness, redevelop its downtown and win important state and private investment, among many other goals. The successful candidate will be adept at finding innovative ways to cover the politics and people making these decisions, including Mayor Jerry Dyer, the city council and county supervisors.

This reporter will also bring fresh ideas on producing a high volume of unique, relevant journalism to build reader loyalty, as building a loyal audience in a fast-paced, accountability-focused beat requires publishing consistently and often. Mc Clatchy Media’s journalists are also expected to take advantage of opportunities to ethically harness and leverage artificial intelligence and other automation to enhance and elevate their work and to find efficiencies that free them to focus on source-building and high-quality, deeply reported journalism.

In this role, you will need to:

• Break news about the people and policies shaping Fresno and the Central San Joaquin Valley and explain the city’s unique qualities and challenges.
• Be comfortable becoming a recognizable on-camera guide to Fresno's politics and policy, shooting and editing short-form video with editors and visual journalists.
• Be eager to build and engage a following using short-form, vertical video that showcases our deep understanding of important and also hyper-local issues.
• Write with power, verve and authority.
• Leverage AI tools and platforms to strengthen your reporting while finding efficiencies and expanding the sophistication of your work.
• Embrace alternative story formats, experimenting with multimedia storytelling and collaborating with colleagues on our visual and data teams.
• Use California’s open records law to obtain revelatory government documents and data, including payroll data.
• Be skilled at or excited to learn how to collaborate on planning, shooting and editing short-form video with editors and visual journalists, including appearing regularly on camera.
• Intentional about maintaining journalistic ethics and independence while cultivating that personality-driven presence.
• Build a network of sources to find unique stories that inform, delight and engage readers looking to understand how the city works and what it means for their daily lives.
• Work well in a team environment, virtually and in person.

Requirements:

• A deep knowledge of local government in the Fresno/central San Joaquin Valley area, or a demonstrated ability to develop that expertise quickly.
• College degree or equivalent work experience.
• At least 1-3 years of reporting experience.
• Excellent news judgment and a demonstrated ability to "see the story" that is going to matter to readers.
• Valid drivers' license and vehicle insurance meeting or exceeding the legally mandated minimum requirements.
• Unwavering commitment to accurate, ethical journalism.
• Ability to work collaboratively to aggressively tackle stories with urgency.
• Comfort with a job that will be demanding, fast-paced and constantly evolving as our region grows.

To apply, include a persuasive cover letter, your resume and five to eight examples of your best work, including any social or video work that showcases your on-camera presence and personality.

The anticipated base pay range for this position is between $29.80 and $36.05 per hour, based on a 40-hour week. Individual base pay may vary within that range, depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience and relevant education.

What we'll bring:

Fresno is a vibrant, growing city with deep agricultural roots, a rich culture, proximity to world-class national parks and a comparatively low cost of living. It's a fantastic place to put down roots, and this job offers the chance to contribute to its future.

As a journalist at Mc Clatchy, you will join a supportive, flexible, collaborative team. Mc Clatchy strives to be an employer of choice, and our benefits package is made with this goal in mind. With a focus on health, well-being, wealth and daily life, our package options include health care 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. With an excellent support team and with focus on your well-being as a top corporate strategy, Mc Clatchy provides benefits to support you and your family in achieving your health and wellness goals. For more information on Mc Clatchy's benefit plan, please visit Mc Clatchy Livewell.com.

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Salary/Compensation: $29.80 - $36.05 per hour

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