Legislative and Lobbying Reporter Job at McClatchy in Raleigh

The News & Observer is looking for a high-energy, curious, self-starting reporter to uncover what powerful interests are seeking from North Carolina's state government and how their agendas affect the people of the state.

This reporter will be a face of our legislative and politics coverage and an expert guide for our readers.

Based in the state capital of Raleigh, The N&O has long had the largest contingent of reporters in the Capitol Press Corps, with a long tradition of covering the impact of state politics for a statewide audience. We have a responsibility and a mandate from our readers to uncover wrongdoing and abuses of power and to explain the impact of those actions on our communities. To do so, this reporter will break news, investigate tips, build sources, mine data and relentlessly seek out public records.

Examples of this work include:

• Finding sources and records that give insight into the world of lobbying and advocacy in the state legislature. That includes the agendas of business, labor, local governments and political parties.
• Following the money that connects politicians and powerful interests.
• Explaining how decisions made in the capital affect residents, including consumers worried about affordability and families concerned about the safety of their communities.
• Coordinating with the politics editor, statehouse bureau chief and the rest of the politics team to break news that makes The News & Observer the must-read source for legislative news.

We expect this reporter to be, first and foremost, of service to our readers: voters, taxpayers, consumers and anyone who is served by, interacts with or works for government agencies and schools. These readers need journalism that starts with them. We're looking for a reporter who will treat community engagement as central to the job - showing up, actively listening and creating coverage that reflects real concerns.

Examples of this work include:

• Using callouts and other tools to hear directly from readers about what they'd like to see covered next.
• Engaging with members of The N&O's subscriber base in virtual and live events.
• Contributing to politics newsletters and podcasts that build trust and engagement with readers.
• Appearing in and shooting video to be used across The N&O's social media accounts.

We're looking for a reporter with a knack for finding the issues and stories that matter to our readers. That requires active community listening, relentless sourcing and smart data analysis.

Our journalists work in communities with vibrant choices for foodies, arts and music lovers, and outdoors enthusiasts. The Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill region is among the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the nation. Known as the Triangle, the area is home to major universities, state government, numerous corporate headquarters and fast-growing startups. And North Carolina's long coastline and dramatic Appalachian Mountains are only car rides away.

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

What you'll bring:

Must have:

• Strong writing skills and excellent news judgment.
• Deep knowledge of North Carolina politics and government.
• An unwavering commitment to accurate, ethical journalism.
• An understanding of public records laws and how to use them.
• Experience building a strong network of sources to pursue stories that will reach a broad audience.
• An interest in telling stories using a variety of media and engagement tools, and an enthusiasm for learning new skills and technologies.

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.

Nice to have:

• Fluency in the science of readership and engagement, including an understanding of analytics, SEO and other audience optimization tactics.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including empathy and the ability to take and give constructive criticism.
• Ability to work nimbly in a job that will be fast-paced and data-driven, shaped constantly by feedback and experimentation and always evolving.
• Bachelor's degree, ideally in journalism, or the equivalent education, experience, skills and knowledge needed to perform the responsibilities of the position.
• A track record for innovation, learning and using new skills and technologies, especially AI.
• At least 3 years related experience and/or training.

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 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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Equal Opportunity Employer
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