The Seattle Times, a family-owned news organization and one of the nation’s premier regional news sources, is hiring a Climate Change Reporter. As a member of our Pulitzer Prize-winning newsroom, you will lead coverage that focuses on how climate change and other environmental issues affect people and ecosystems of the Pacific Northwest and beyond. This beat reporter will contribute to the Times sweeping environment coverage and pursue stories that engage our growing digital audience. Ideally, you are a skilled reporter who can develop deep sourcing, break news, craft sharp explainers, decipher cutting-edge research and connect with the diverse communities of our region.

We’re looking for someone who can pivot from spot news, enterprise and news features to long-form storytelling and watchdog journalism. Please be adept at uncovering the real-life implications of our changing climate and deftly weaving narratives that explain them to our audience. This coverage includes the effect of climate change on historically marginalized communities that face some of the most dire outcomes of a warming world.

The Climate Change Reporter will:

Understand key issues of climate change and its differing effects on communities of people with varying social, economic, racial and ethnic backgrounds.
Write clear, focused stories with a variety of approaches. We seek locally focused stories that also have national and international appeal.
Be immersed in research about the world’s climate crisis and the Pacific Northwest’s unique position in affecting government policy.
Develop diverse and knowledgeable sources who will help break news, track emerging research and add perspective to our coverage.
Post breaking news stories for our website and social media, quickly followed by updates that add more detail and context.
Identify stories that will drive readership, using social media, callouts and audience analytics.
Work with a team led by an Assistant Metro Editor/Environment Editor and collaborate with beat reporters on other teams.
Work with colleagues in Photo, Graphics/Interactives and the Digital Audience Team to coordinate visuals and digital assets for stories.
The successful candidate will be an enthusiastic colleague and a champion of our core values of accuracy, journalistic ethics and inclusiveness.

Qualifications

If your profile doesn’t match this job description exactly, you may still be a candidate for this position. Please let us know how your skills and experience relate to the role and its objectives in your cover letter.

Experience: At least three years’ work as a reporter for a newsgathering organization.
Education: Bachelor’s degree or relevant equivalent experience.

Experience covering breaking news and filing from the field, including writing quick, accurate posts that are followed by more complete stories that provide necessary context and perspective.
Experience in watchdog and accountability journalism.
Collaborative spirit; diplomacy when communicating up, down and across teams.
Ability to file public-record requests and search databases.

Strong command of standards, ethics and the mission of journalism at The Seattle Times.
Ability to analyze facts and make judgments about relevance, newsworthiness, fairness, etc., under pressure and on deadline.
Cultural competence and awareness of best practices related to inclusive journalism.
Ability to write clearly, accurately and creatively on multiple platforms and social networks.
Experience in traditional, shoe-leather reporting, as well as using social media to find and source stories. Familiarity with digital news production and analytics are also a necessity.

Compensation: The full salary range for this position is $41,600 to $96,600. We typically pay between $55,000 and $85,000, depending on experience and qualifications.

Benefits:

Medical, dental, vision, and long-term disability insurance
Employee assistance program
Optional life and AD&D insurance and long-term care insurance
401(k) plan with employer match
10 days of annual vacation accrual, increasing with tenure up to 20 days
10 days of annual sick accrual; unused sick pay accrues to an extended illness bank
9 paid holidays
Internet stipend for predominately remote employees
Subsidized transit cards
Complimentary Seattle Times subscription
Wellness program
Parental leave options

Please Note:

Founded in 1896, The Seattle Times continues its tradition as a family-owned, Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper that cuts through the clutter and provides readers with timely, relevant news. We serve the Pacific Northwest with thoughtful, independent journalism that makes a real difference in our community. And as a media solutions company, we combine cutting-edge digital capabilities and service with the values and integrity of respected traditional media… with an established audience of 2.1 million. At The Seattle Times, you'll find work that matters.

If you need assistance to accommodate a disability, please contact Human Resources at careers@seattletimes.com and provide a description of the reasonable accommodation(s) needed.

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