Education Reporter

The Modesto Bee  is seeking an enterprising, reader-focused reporter who will break news and provide deep coverage of local K-12 education issues that connect with parents, educators and others in our region. Accountability reporting is a key part of this position.

Our award-winning newsroom has a reputation for breaking news and producing exclusive accountability journalism that focuses on the city of Modesto and Stanislaus County in California’s Central Valley. Our coverage reflects daily life by spotlighting issues people care about, finding solutions and making a difference — all the reasons you chose to be a journalist.

We’re looking for an education reporter with the ability to build a diverse network of sources and generate high-impact coverage with input from people in communities across our region and other stakeholders in our K-12 education system. 

Journalism is a team sport in our newsroom. The ability to collaborate and communicate with colleagues on a daily basis is essential. 

The Bee’s audience includes a growing community of 219,000 in Modesto, a vibrant city navigating the twin challenges of problems and promise, as well as a growing metro area of about 550,000. Opportunities for compelling storytelling abound. Our audience craves useful, solutions-oriented information, and this breaking news reporter stays on the edge of what’s happening now and next. You are part of a team helping to guide a community through change. 

Modesto is ethnically diverse, lively and growing. The downtown area is known for its restaurants and entertainment scene. Modesto is home to Gallo, the largest winemaker in the world, and is an agriculture-based economy that enjoys the amenities of larger cities. The city boasts tree-lined streets and parklands with walking and bike trails. We’re 75 miles east of the Bay Area and a 2½ -hour drive from Yosemite, Monterey and skiing. 

We expect the successful candidate to meet most of these qualifications: 

• Strong reporting and writing skills, excellent news judgment and a demonstrated ability to “see the story” that is going to matter to readers.  
• Commitment to accuracy, ethics and diversity.
• The ability to produce a mix of daily and longer-term enterprise.
• The ability to prioritize in a fast-paced, data-driven work environment.
• A commitment to regularly include readers in your reporting, from identifying story ideas to developing a diverse network of sources.
• Knowledge of and a demonstrated use of digital tools to help tell stories.
• The ability to use social media as a tool for engagement, story idea prospecting and pushing stories out to readers.
• A hunger for learning new skills to deepen your reporting and enhance and expand your reach.
• A collaborative, positive work style.
• Willingness to work occasional weekends and nights, jump in on breaking news and perform other duties as needed in a small newsroom.
• College degree in a related field or equivalent experience.
• Must have reliable transportation and a valid driver’s license.

The anticipated base pay range for this position is between $25.64 and $28.72 per hour, based on 37.50 hours per week. Individual base pay may vary within that range depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, relevant education, department equity, training, geography and local wage and hours laws.

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 includes 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 benefit 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.

To apply, include a cover letter, your resume and four to six examples of your work.

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.

Salary : $26 - $29