Job summary
Job post source
This job is directly from McClatchy Media
Job overview
The Climate and Environment Reporter at McClatchy Media covers breaking news and in-depth stories on climate change impacts and environmental policy in Northern California, informing and engaging the local community.
Responsibilities and impact
The reporter will break news, produce daily and enterprise stories, collaborate with multimedia teams, represent the publication at events, and focus on audience growth through accurate and urgent climate and environmental journalism.
Compensation and benefits
The base pay ranges from $72,000 to $90,000 annually, with benefits including healthcare for employees and families, 401(k) with employer match, paid time off, corporate holidays, wellness resources, and mental health support.
Experience and skills
Candidates should have at least 5 years of professional reporting experience, including climate/environment coverage, strong writing and digital storytelling skills, ability to work in a fast-paced environment, and proficiency with data journalism and AI tools; a college degree or equivalent experience is required.
Career development
McClatchy offers a supportive, flexible, and collaborative team environment with opportunities for learning new skills and innovation, especially in digital and AI-enhanced journalism.
Work environment and culture
The company culture emphasizes support, flexibility, collaboration, ethical journalism, and well-being with comprehensive benefits and a focus on community engagement.
Company information
McClatchy Media owns several prominent news and lifestyle brands, including The Sacramento Bee, with a history of 57 Pulitzer prizes and a wide reach of over 100 million unique visitors monthly.
Team overview
The reporter will join The Sacramento Bee's dynamic newsroom, working closely with visual, data, and audience teams to enhance storytelling.
Job location and travel
The position is based in Sacramento, California, with an emphasis on Northern California regional coverage.
Application process
Applicants must submit a cover letter, resume, and four to six examples of their best work to apply.
Unique job features
The role uniquely combines breaking news with solutions and accountability journalism on climate issues, leveraging AI and multimedia tools to enhance reporting.
Company overview
McClatchy Media is a leading American publishing company specializing in local news, operating newspapers, websites, and digital platforms across 30 U.S. markets. Founded in 1857, it has a rich history rooted in journalism, with flagship publications like The Sacramento Bee and The Miami Herald. The company generates revenue through digital and print advertising, subscriptions, and content licensing. McClatchy has transitioned significantly toward digital-first strategies to adapt to changing media consumption trends, emphasizing investigative reporting and community-focused journalism.
How to land this job
Position your resume to highlight your experience in climate and environmental reporting, emphasizing your ability to break news and deliver compelling stories on local impacts of climate change in Northern California.
Focus on showcasing skills in balancing quick-turn news coverage with in-depth enterprise reporting, multimedia storytelling, and collaboration with data and audience teams as outlined in the job description.
Apply through multiple channels including McClatchy Media's corporate career site, LinkedIn, and relevant journalism job boards to maximize your exposure for this role.
Connect with current reporters or editors in the climate and environment division at McClatchy on LinkedIn, using ice breakers like commenting on recent climate stories they published or asking about how they integrate AI tools in their reporting.
Optimize your resume for ATS by incorporating keywords such as 'climate change adaptation,' 'breaking news,' 'multimedia storytelling,' 'data journalism,' 'SEO,' and 'AI in journalism' to ensure your application passes initial screenings.
Leverage Jennie Johnson's Power Apply feature to automate tailored resume optimization, identify multiple application platforms, and find LinkedIn contacts to network with, allowing you to focus more on preparing quality work samples and interviews.
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