Job Description
KEY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provide comprehensive coverage of both legislative and electoral politics, balancing coverage from within the capitol with the reality in the streets, on the ground.
- Spend focused time each week and each month filing public records requests, exploring big picture issues and digging into investigative projects, to produce one or two big projects or series each year.
- Mentor student intern covering the Legislature.
- Mentor other members of the news team as journalists and help them connect with government sources, data and public records.
- Develop a network of contacts at the capitol and in the community that can help identify stories that are not being covered by other media outlets, with an emphasis on equity.
- Report on Seattle city and national politics when needed.
- Deliver 1-2 reported stories each week that meet journalistic and organizational standards for fairness, thoroughness and quality.
- Collaborate with video and podcast producers to weave more multimedia into Cascade PBS’s articles, and to assist them in turning our stories into TV programming.
- Serve as a Cascade PBS representative in planning and attending community events and working with partner organizations.
- Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.
REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES
- Demonstrated ability to digest complex information and communicate in it in a way that is engaging and understandable to a broad audience
- Excellent writing and reporting skills.
- Ability to collect, quickly digest and analyze government documents and emails to write about official actions in an insightful and fair manner.
- Interest in public policy a must; familiarity with Washington, Seattle or other city government a plus.
- Highest integrity and commitment to journalistic standards.
- Diligence in pursuing information, interviews and public records requests.
- Pathological attention to detail.
- Familiarity with collecting, analyzing and presenting data.
- Ability to manage complex, longer-term writing projects while maintaining beat coverage.
- Photo and multimedia skills desirable.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism or related field or equivalent experience required.
- Five years of experience in daily journalism.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Ability to view data on a computer screen for long periods of time.
- Ability to type on a keyboard for long periods of time.
- Ability to sit or stand for extended periods.
- Must have a valid driver’s license or reliable means of transportation to meet requirements of the job.