Reporter, Oregon Capital Chronicle

Job Description

Join a newsroom dedicated to serving as a state government watchdog in a beautiful, diverse state with abundant recreational choices, vibrant cultural activities, good food and a strong political culture.

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Oregon Capital Chronicle covers politics and state government, with a special emphasis on health, the environment, education and other issues of statewide interest that impact the lives of Oregonians, including social justice stories. We seek an experienced reporter who will track policies and government spending, focusing on the impact they have on the lives of Oregonians.

Based in Salem, Oregon Capital Chronicle is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization. This reporter will produce daily and watchdog stories on health care and social service issues, keeping an eye on the impact on underserved communities.

The ideal candidate will know how to work a beat, file public records requests and develop deep sourcing to break news and produce enterprise pieces showing how public policies affect Oregonians, especially the most vulnerable. They will be driven by an ambition to hold public officials accountable and take readers beyond the obvious.

We value concise, clear writing and stories that take a wider view, avoiding jargon and process while focusing on impact.

States Newsroom expects reporters to publish four posts, including briefs, each week but we also make time for bigger stories. You will need good news judgement and when news breaks, you will be expected to pounce, including working with other members of our four-person team. You will be expected to cover legislative stories, owning health care and social service stories, and staying ahead of the pack. We look for trends and the impact on the ground, always focusing on why our coverage matters.
 

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Produce regular, high-quality reporting on Oregon government policy and the impact on everyday people
• Contribute regularly to the outlet’s briefs section
• Generate story ideas with the editor
• Pursue story leads with strong self-direction and news judgment
• Approach assignments on deadline with strong communication and follow through with the editor and colleagues
• Collaborate with other reporters and assist with research and pertinent knowledge when/if available
• Establish and expand social media presence representing the outlet
• Take quality photos to illustrate stories

 

BENEFITS & COMPENSATION

The minimum salary for this position is $55,000 and rises with experience. Relocation stipend will be considered. Our generous benefits package includes:

• Premium-free platinum health care for employees and their families (i.e., nothing comes out of your paycheck!)
• Four weeks of vacation per year
• Two weeks of personal leave per year
• 20 hours of paid volunteer time per year
• 11 paid holidays per year
• $75 monthly cell phone reimbursement
• $200 cell phone replacement benefit every two years
• $75 monthly fitness benefit
• 401K with up to 3% match
• 12 weeks of parental leave
• Full-service EAP
• Annual DeleteMe subscription

A laptop and any necessary equipment will be provided by States Newsroom.

ABOUT OUR CULTURE 

States Newsroom is dedicated to producing journalism at all levels — from quick hit to investigative — but not at the expense of burning out its employees. We are supportive, exciting, welcoming and positive. We believe in creating sustainable careers for journalists on the crucial state government beat.

States Newsroom’s mission is to connect people to the power that shapes their daily lives through relentless reporting and incisive commentary on state government and policy. Journalism is a powerful force for social change, uniquely suited to challenging systemic inequality and racism. Our goal is to build an organization that fulfills that mission.

At States Newsroom, we believe we strengthen our work and improve our insights when we incorporate the perspectives of people who come from different backgrounds and have had different experiences. We are committed to diversity and prioritize equity in all recruiting and hiring. We are always working to better represent our communities and are supported in these efforts by a network-wide Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice committee.

Job Requirements

We’re looking for candidates with at least three years previous news reporting and/or editing experience (some student journalism counts), sound news judgment, flexibility and the ability to manage ongoing and short-term projects with strong attention to detail and accuracy.
Authorization to work in the United States is required. All States Newsroom employees are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID within 30 days of hire. Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, please send a cover letter, resume with three professional references and at least three links or clips to jobs@statesnewsroom.com. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

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