Job Description

CalMatters is looking for a dynamic political reporter to cover California’s unique political landscape, hold power accountable, and explain clearly why it matters to Californians’ daily lives.

This reporter will have a deep understanding of the people, groups and financial interests that hold sway in California. We want someone as passionate about uncovering what’s hidden as they are about explaining what’s in plain sight — a reporter who can both break news on legislative maneuvering and connect state policy to real Californians’ experiences.

What You’ll Do:

• Produce accountability journalism that examines whether lawmakers deliver on their promises, how they spend campaign money and who influences their decisions
• Write enterprise stories that go beyond daily coverage to explore political dynamics, power relationships, and policy impact on communities across California
• Collaborate with reporters across beats (education, environment, immigration, health, criminal justice, technology) on stories that require multiple perspectives
• Use our Digital Democracy database — a cutting-edge tool that provides AI-generated tip sheets and data insights — to find exclusive stories other outlets miss
• Translate complex government processes and policy debates into clear, accessible stories for our diverse California audience
• Report for multiple platforms including our website, newsletters, radio and television

What We’re Looking For:

• Several years of experience reporting on politics and policy, preferably covering California
• Proven ability to develop sources, including inside legislative offices, state agencies, advocacy groups and lobbying firms
• A track record of accountability reporting and/or investigative work
• A collaborative approach to working with editors and colleagues on enterprise projects
• Time management skills to balance daily reporting with distinctive longer-term investigations
• Comfort with data analysis and public records requests (experience with campaign finance reporting, Form 700s, or similar financial disclosure is a plus)

Bonus Skills:

• Ability to report and write in Spanish or another language widely spoken in California
• Experience with multimedia storytelling or social media content creation
• Familiarity with California’s political geography, from rural communities to urban centers

The preferred location for this position is Sacramento, but CalMatters will consider applicants in other major California cities. CalMatters is committed to explaining how California government works and holding it accountable. We’re looking for a reporter who shares that mission and can help Californians navigate their state’s complex political system.

Compensation And Benefits

This full-time position with benefits is based in California and represented by the Pacific Media Workers Guild. The salary range for this position is $75,000 to $95,000 per year.

We offer a complete benefits package with medical, dental and vision insurance — we cover 95% of the cost for employees and dependents — from a range of HMO and PPO providers. We also offer a paid family leave program and will match contributions of up to 4% of your salary to our 401(k) program and provide life insurance at no cost.

The salary range above is our best estimate, in good faith, of what we expect to pay for this position. Our final salary figure will consider the candidate’s experience and skills, as well as our commitment to pay our staff equitably.

How To Apply

We are an expanding and collaborative newsroom, successfully forging a new model for sustainable, intelligent, nonprofit journalism. We’re committed to reflecting the people we serve and especially encourage members of underrepresented communities to apply. If you’re interested, provide a resume, work samples and a cover letter below. In your cover letter, using your own words, let us know how you would approach this role. 

Please do not contact the hiring manager directly, and do not send a résumé to staff at their individual email addresses.

If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, don’t hesitate to contact jobs [at] calmatters.org.

About CalMatters | The Markup

CalMatters, now in its eleventh year, is an award-winning nonprofit, nonpartisan news venture dedicated to explaining the policy and politics of America’s biggest state and the world’s fifth largest economy. In 2024, it merged with The Markup, another nonprofit national news publication that challenges technology to serve the public good.

We produce vivid, original multimedia journalism, data-driven news analyses and watchdog accountability reporting on calmatters.org and themarkup.org, and distribute our work at no cost to more than 250 media partners. Our success metric isn’t clicks — it’s impact. Products at CalMatters/The Markup serve millions of people. For example: 

• More than 1 in 5 California voters head to the polls informed by CalMatters’ nonpartisan Voter Guide. 
• Digital Democracy, our unprecedented, custom-built AI tool that tracks everything you’d want to know about state legislators has unearthed stories and prompted legislators to call for change. 

We also have the most diverse major newsroom in California. Here you’ll be working alongside dozens of experienced journalists in a supportive, collaborative atmosphere.

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