What are the responsibilities and job description for the Transportation/General Assignment Reporter position at McClatchy?
The Sacramento Bee is seeking an ambitious reporter who will focus on covering daily and breaking news on our busy transportation beat, as well as report and write other general assignment stories that resonate with our subscribers in the Sacramento region. This role demands a go-anywhere, do-anything journalist with a sense of urgency, an eye for trends, and the ability to produce compelling news, features and enterprise.
With a growing international airport, expansive light-rail system and miles of converging interstates, news about getting around – and news that gets inside the powerful government agencies that oversee transportation policy – is essential for our readers, as is reporting on pedestrian, bike and commuter safety.
Beyond this, we’re looking for someone who can stretch their wings. When big, breaking news happens on or off the transportation beat, this reporter will play a key role in working with others in our collaborative, award-winning newsroom to swarm those stories. But there also will be times when the news of the day – e.g. criminal trials, developments at City Hall or happenings at the Capitol – demand our wider attention, and this reporter will be called on to go outside the parameters of the transportation beat and cover those events.
McClatchy Media’s journalists are 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. And we’re developing deeper relationships with our subscribers through live and virtual events, newsletters and by answering their questions.
What you’ll bring:
- The sense of urgency and accuracy required for covering breaking news, and a curiosity to go deeper and develop enterprise stories off the news;
- Strong writing and reporting skills, excellent news judgment and rock-solid journalism ethics;
- Understanding of open records laws and the ability to file, manage and oversee requests pertinent to beat work;
- The ability to shoot basic photos and videos;
- Understanding of SEO and other optimization opportunities and a demonstrated ability to learn new skills in social and digital;
- Ability to engage with readers and develop sources and story ideas on social media platforms including but not limited to Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, BlueSky, Nextdoor and Reddit;
- A strong entrepreneurial spirit, deep curiosity and high energy;
- A collaborative style that works comfortably across teams spread throughout the office and company;
- A track record for innovation, learning and using new skills and technologies, especially AI;
- A willingness to represent The Sacramento Bee in community events or live journalism initiatives.
Requirements: A degree in journalism or related field and three years of experience in a digitally oriented newsroom environment is required.
The ability to work flexible hours is essential. This position may require some evening shifts to cover local events. Must have reliable transportation, a valid driver’s license and vehicle insurance.
To apply, include a persuasive cover letter, your resume and four to six examples of your best work.
The anticipated base pay range for this position is between $29.75 and $37.44 per hour based on 37.5 hours per week. Individual base pay may vary within that range depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience and relevant education.
What we’ll bring:
Ninety miles northeast of San Francisco and 100 miles southwest of Lake Tahoe, Sacramento is a vibrant capital city with a Mediterranean climate, a world-class food and music scene and numerous recreational opportunities, including the 31-mile American River Trail and 2,000 acres of parkland in the city alone. Our Bee office in East Sacramento lies within two miles of the Capitol, Midtown, Downtown and Golden 1 Center, home of the Sacramento Kings.
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 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.
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Salary : $30 - $37