State Government & Politics Reporter

Job Description

Strengthening and empowering all of the communities we serve.

The Oregonian/OregonLive in Portland, Oregon, is hiring a State Government & Politics Reporter to join our nationally award-winning newsroom. We seek a journalist who thrives on holding powerful public officials to account, has a track record of using public records to heighten government transparency and accountability and has a nose for high-impact political stories and quick talkers.

This reporter will break daily news on a competitive statewide beat while also preparing frequent weekend takeouts from breaking political news, personalities, failings and successes. Working collaboratively with a second state politics reporter, you will help drive the direction of our state politics coverage. Using a variety of storytelling techniques and platforms, you’ll help cover elections, the Legislature, state agencies and other powerbrokers, keeping an eye on the real-world implications of policy and spending choices on Oregonians.

You will work with a politics editor who not only is deeply invested in the reporter’s success but also has a proven track record of helping reporters enhance their stories and shine.

The reporter will be expected to consistently elevate the voices of people of color, those navigating poverty or disability or others who are too rarely heard by those in power or reflected in news coverage.

We are looking for a deeply curious person with experience and skills to develop deep and diverse sourcing while remaining nimble in the face of breaking news. The ideal candidate will bring an enterprise-driven approach to the beat, with the skill and energy to deliver hard-hitting agenda-setting coverage on a regular basis. The reporter should have a track record of, or demonstrated interest in, shining a light on the influence of powerful interests in shaping politics and government and the opportunities for government to do better by those with the least political power.

The salary range for this position is $60,000 - $85,000 annually.

This is a hybrid position based in the Portland metro area. This position requires reliable transportation to meet with sources and cover events at the Oregon Capitol in Salem.

Applicants should submit a cover letter, resume and 3-5 stories showcasing their reporting and writing skills.

What you’ll be doing:

• Become an authority on state government including deep expertise on state budgets, legislative processes and readily available state politics and government data sources (such as campaign finance and lobbying databases)

• Work collaboratively with other reporters, including another state government reporter and others (in beats ranging from education, homelessness and business) to uncover news and report on ongoing issues

• Publicly represent The Oregonian/OregonLive in limited situations, including political debates and possibly on national news programs as an expert on Oregon politics and government

• Regularly file public records requests and generally seek the transparency necessary to hold powerful leaders accountable

• Show curiosity, collegiality and flexibility when, on occasion, news demands that the organization pivots to high-priority events

Our ideal candidate will have the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism or communications, or an equivalent combination of education and experience

• Minimum of 5 years of journalism experience with a track record of clear, engaging writing, fresh story framing and diverse sourcing

• Excellent time management skills with ability to work under tight deadlines when needed

• Ability to analyze data sets to find the smart stories, including the effectiveness of state programs and policies, state hiring and spending and other government accountability metrics

• Inclination and ability to insist on compliance with public records and public meeting laws to give readers maximum transparency about elected officials’ performance

• Skill at using social media and digital platforms to drive traffic and engage readers

• Experience with or willingness to learn about audience best practices

• Comfort with taking photos, video and audio on assignment as needed

• Advanced data analysis skills are a plus

• Fluency in another language spoken widely in Oregon is an asset, but not required

Additional Information

Advance Local Media offers competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package with affordable options for your healthcare including medical, dental and vision plans, mental health support options, flexible spending accounts, fertility assistance, a competitive 401(k) plan to help plan for your future, generous paid time off, paid parental and caregiver leave and an employee assistance program to support your work/life balance, optional legal assistance, life insurance options, as well as flexible holidays to honor cultural diversity.

Oregonian Media Group is a part of Advance Local Media, one of the largest media groups in the United States, which operates the leading news and information companies in more than 20 cities, reaching 52+ million people monthly with our quality, real-time journalism and community engagement. Our company is built upon the values of Integrity, Customer-first, Inclusiveness, Collaboration and Forward-looking. For more information about Advance Local, please visit www.advancelocal.com .

Oregonian Media Group is the most trusted source for news and information in Oregon and Southwest Washington. A digitally focused company, Oregonian Media Group provides content when and where readers want it - online, on smartphones and on tablets - through OREGONLIVE and a range of digital products. As the largest media company in the state, Oregonian Media Group is also advertisers' strongest media partner, with an innovative suite of products to help them connect with their best customers.

Advance Local Media is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, encouraging applications from people of all backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or any other category protected under federal, state or local law.

If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please contact Human Resources and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

Advance Local Media does not provide sponsorship for work visas or employment authorization in the United States. Only candidates who are legally authorized to work in the U.S. will be considered for this position.