State Government Reporter Job at The Seattle Times in Seattle

The Seattle Times, a family-owned news organization and one of the nation’s premier regional news sources, is hiring a State Government Reporter based in Olympia. This reporter will lead coverage that focuses on elected and appointed state officials, including the first new governor in 12 years and the Legislature. This is a key position at the nerve center of the politics team, and much of what this reporter covers impacts Seattle and county governments across the state, from how taxpayers’ dollars are spent to how the state responds to an affordability crisis. Washington, while solidly blue on a statewide level, contains many conservative voters and officeholders that require respectful, fair coverage. 

We are looking for a curious reporter who will work collaboratively with other political reporters, and other reporters in beats as diverse as education, homelessness and business to uncover news and report on ongoing issues. A successful candidate will be adept at breaking stories, behind-the-scenes narratives and deep accountability stories that engage our readers.  

The State Government Reporter will:

• Have a track record of digging up scoops. 
• Develop diverse and knowledgeable sources in Washington state government and the broader political community. 
• Write daily news stories and craft clear, focused enterprise stories that create an impact. Produce stories on a cadence that will establish and underscore The Times’ authority as the go-to source for news on Washington state politics.  
• Become the authority on state government and know how actions at the state level affect people living throughout the state. 
• Track how national politics and decisions may drive change in the state. 
• Identify stories that will drive readership, using callouts and audience analytics. 
• Embrace an inclusive approach to story generation, framing, reporting and sourcing. 
• Welcome opportunities to contribute to the broader newsroom on group projects, occasional news shifts, and stories that transcend the beat system.  
• Work with colleagues in Photo/Video, Graphics/Interactives and the Digital Team to create visually rich projects and explore creative new story forms. 
• Publicly represent The Times at events, as needed, including political debates. 

Qualifications 

We are committed to diversity and creating an inclusive newsroom and 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’ experience as a government or politics reporter for a daily newsgathering organization. 
• Education: Bachelor’s degree or relevant equivalent experience. 
• Ability to file public-record requests and search databases. 
• Strong command of standards, ethics and mission of journalism at The Seattle Times, regardless of platform. 
• Demonstrate a deep understanding of government and its processes. 
• Ability to analyze facts and make judgments about relevance, newsworthiness, fairness, etc., under pressure and on deadline. 
• Cultural competence and awareness of best practices related to inclusive journalism. Collaborative spirit; diplomacy when communicating up, down and across teams.
• Experience in traditional, shoe-leather reporting, as well as using social media to find and source stories. Familiarity with analytics is also a necessity. 

Compensation: The full salary range for this position is $61,200 to $101,500. We typically pay between $61,200 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

Please Note: This position requires pre-employment assessments including a criminal background check, a drug screen for controlled substances (excluding cannabis), and a motor vehicle report once an offer has been made. This position requires that you have access to a reliable personal vehicle to respond to work assignments. In addition, you must be able to provide proof of a valid driver’s license and auto insurance meeting the company's liability limits prior to hire. Finally, as a union-represented position, you will be required to join a union and pay regular membership dues.

Founded in 1896, The Seattle Times continues its tradition as a family-owned, Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper that cuts through the clutter and provides readers with timely, relevant news. We serve the Pacific Northwest with thoughtful, independent journalism that makes a real difference in our community. And as a media solutions company, we combine cutting-edge digital capabilities and service with the values and integrity of respected traditional media… with an established audience of 1.9 million. At The Seattle Times, you'll find work that matters.

If you need assistance to accommodate a disability, please contact Human Resources at careers@seattletimes.com and provide a description of the reasonable accommodation(s) needed.

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