Service Journalism Reporter

Service Journalism Reporter Job Category: News Requisition Number: SERVI001969 Posting Details Posted: April 14, 2026 Full-Time LocationsShowing 1 location Fresno, CA 93721, USA Travel Required: Yes Job Details Description McClatchy Media is seeking an audience-focused reporter to join its collaborative and hard-working Fresno Bee newsroom as a service journalism reporter. The reporter will be based in the growing city of Fresno, joining a reporting group that is fun, team-oriented and always looking for new ways to reach readers and tell the unique stories of California’s Central Valley. The service journalism team is focused on utility journalism with a mission to help local readers navigate day-to-day life. Service journalists use an accessible approach to write explainers, Q&As, fact checks and answer questions locally trending online. Reporters in this role also contribute to local and regional news and breaking news coverage. This reporter should be able to craft stories based on local users’ needs and interests, engage directly with readers online and potentially in person. The reporter in this position will write frequently – they will welcome daily assignments as well as cultivate and pitch their own ideas, finding stories and questions in every corner of the community, online and in person. Service journalists dig into city curiosities as well as “talkers” on sites like Nextdoor and Reddit. An enthusiasm for working in a team-centered environment that emphasizes support and occasional shared bylines is essential. A willingness to learn audience development skills, such as digital headline writing and SEO, is a must. Expertise in a particular subject area is not required, but the successful candidate will bring to the role areas of interest and a deep understanding of what’s important to local readers, preferably earned by working as part of a local news outlet. The ideal candidate will also have an excellent gauge of digital storytelling and the ability to work under the pressure of quick, daily deadlines. McClatchy Media’s journalists are expected to take advantage of opportunities to ethically harness and leverage AI 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. We have fun, and we write on the news, covering a little bit of everything. Here are just a few of the team’s stories: What are federal workers’ free speech rights? Yosemite ranger sues after firing These Fresno schools were named among healthiest in the nation. Find out why Why are federal election monitors at Fresno vote centers? Here’s what to know Warming weather is bringing crowds to Yosemite National Park. What to know Fresno’s third round of No Kings protests coming to River Park area Saturday Fresno residents least equipped in US to handle financial shocks, study shows Best places to work in US? 85 California companies earn spots on national list In this role, you will need to: Pitch stories that are off the beaten track and will resonate with many readers across our region. Report and write stories quickly in user-friendly formats. Find questions the community is asking and figure out the answers. Collaborate with other journalists from across the newsroom on major news events and local happenings. Demonstrate versatility, initiative and SEO savvy. Work in a team environment, both virtually and in person. Must have: 1-3 years of reporting or writing experience. A college degree or work equivalent. Strong reporting and writing skills, as well as a demonstrated ability to see the story that is going to matter to readers. Flexibility and speed in writing to respond to evolving news events and user needs. Excellent news judgment and journalism ethics. Excellent communication and collaboration skills. A willingness to cover a variety of topics. A passion for utility journalism that helps readers in their daily lives. Must have reliable transportation. Must have valid driver’s license and vehicle insurance required (at least minimum insurance required for the state in which the employee works). Nice to have: A track record of community engagement and audience-centered reporting. Willingness to do some multimedia storytelling, including recording vertical video. Familiarity with Google Trends, social media platforms, public records requests and data. Familiarity with measuring and tracking success using metrics and analytics. A track record for innovation, learning and using new skills and technologies, especially AI. 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 health, well-being, wealth 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. With an excellent support team and with focus on your well-being as a top corporate strategy, McClatchy provides benefits to support you and your family in achieving your health and wellness goals. For more information on McClatchy's benefit plan, please visit McClatchyLivewell.com. About Fresno: Fresno is one of the more affordable California cities, and well positioned to explore other parts of the state. It’s also close enough to Yosemite National Park, Kings Canyon and Sequoia for weekend trips, and beaches are just over two hours away. The city’s vibrant food scene reflects its strong agricultural roots, with great Mexican food and farm-to-table cuisine. Fresno also has a number of museums and fun annual festivals that promote a sense of community. The anticipated base pay range for this position is between $25.99 and $30.75 an 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. To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, 3-6 work samples for full consideration. References may be requested. About the McClatchy Media Company The McClatchy Media Company features a portfolio of vibrant and trusted news, lifestyle, entertainment brands and a robust retail distribution network. Our iconic local news brands such as the Miami Herald, The Kansas City Star and The Sacramento Bee, have collectively earned a total of 57 Pulitzer prizes and are complemented by popular lifestyle and entertainment brands such as Us Weekly and Woman’s World. Together, our brands reach more than 100 million unique visitors a month. The McClatchy Retail Network, our distribution and logistics arm, offers delivery to more than 56,000 retail locations weekly. Travel Required Yes. Driving for business