At The News Tribune, we put a premium on breaking stories first as well as investing in hard-nosed, accountability journalism that our audience can’t get anywhere else. 

We are looking for a smart, energetic journalist to cover two of our most important topic areas: Tacoma city government and K-12 education. 

Our journalism focuses on our local communities, and in that role we have the ability to spotlight problems, highlight solutions and truly make a difference -- all the reasons you got into journalism. We are part of McClatchy, a digitally driven company focused on innovation, with newsrooms in 30 communities in the United States.

In 2024, our team was recognized with regional SPJ awards for reporting on poverty and homelessness, LGBTQ+ and equity issues, and criminal justice matters. 

We are headquartered in Tacoma, Washington, a lively region for news and an interesting place to live. Our community is growing, with up-and-coming restaurants, breweries, thriving museum and theater districts and myriad opportunities for outdoor recreation, from water sports to mountaineering. We’re uniquely located near three national parks — Mount Rainier being our favorite — and the Sound. The big-city lights of Seattle are only 30 miles away.

As a news reporter, you will cover stories that are relevant to Tacoma readers, including issues involving homelessness, housing affordability and police reform while also monitoring developments in one of the largest public school districts in Washington state. You will be responsible for covering breaking and trending news as well as producing accountability reporting that makes a difference.

We’re looking for a self-paced reporter who can spot and report stories without waiting for an assignment and who can cultivate reliable sources and decipher a government budget. We also are looking for a collaborative journalist who wants to contribute to a team.

The expected schedule is Monday through Friday. You will work with the local news editor to produce content for multiple platforms, with a digital-first mindset.

Responsibilities:

• Find great stories that are highly readable and contribute to our mission 
• Use social media platforms to help distribute and highlight work
• Use SEO intelligently and strategically; understand other audience-growth processes
• Understand and use audience metrics to help increase readership
• Shoot photos and video when needed
• Skillfully use content management systems
• Use data and research to inform reporting

Requirements: 

• College degree 
• Solid news judgment and excellent journalism ethics
• An intuitive sense of what’s important and interesting to audiences on all platforms
• A deep curiosity and high energy
• A commitment to diverse coverage through community engagement and source building
• A collaborative work ethic and the ability to communicate easily with people on our team and across the company
• Proficient knowledge of technology, including content management systems and storytelling tools
• Ability to quickly and accurately research and verify the authenticity of information, sources, photos and video. 
• Must have reliable transportation. 
• Must have valid driver’s license and vehicle insurance required (at least minimum insurance required for the state in which the employee works).

The anticipated base pay range for this position is between $24.04 and $28.85 per hour at 40 hours a week. Individual base pay may vary within that range depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, department equity and relevant education.

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.

To apply: Please submit a cover letter, resume and 6-8 examples of your work that show the breadth and depth of your reporting and writing skills.

About McClatchy:

Our impact is growing every day. 30 growing markets. Over 65 million monthly readers. 57 Pulitzer Prizes. A strong portfolio of dynamic partnerships and smart investments. Our award-winning journalism, digital reach, and commitment to innovative growth have never been stronger. 

As a member of the McClatchy family, you are part of a flexible, empowering, and exciting culture dedicated to creating a work/life balance and consistent opportunities for growth—a place where you have a voice and the ability to impact our future. It’s an exciting time to be here. Our company is experiencing the most transformative period in its history. We’re growing rapidly in the digital space and delivering award-winning journalism in innovative ways.

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