The Kansas City Star is looking for a high-energy, self-starting and community-minded reporter to cover eastern and southern Jackson County, with a particular emphasis on Independence, Lee’s Summit and Grandview. 

This reporter will be tasked with covering news, local governments, school districts and other influential institutions with a strong focus on accountability, in a way that reflects and reaches residents across the more suburban and rural parts of the county. 

They will find the topics that our Jackson County readers care about and will dig in, turning both quick stories each week and pursuing more enterprising angles. Story ideas will come from residents and neighborhoods, not just meeting agendas. The reporter will be open to using callouts and other engagement tools to hear from residents about what they’d like to see covered, and will utilize multiple story formats including service journalism-style explainers and fact checks.

This reporter will also work closely with our other politics and government reporters to keep an eye on how what’s happening in Jackson County affects the rest of the metro, and how those in Jefferson City and Washington are delivering to residents.

Eastern and southern Jackson County has no shortage of reasons to warrant a watchful eye. 

In the past year alone, Independence police led the metro in dangerous car chases, and the city has failed to hold a notorious landlord accountable for inhumane living conditions, leading to a rent strike among tenants. Multiple children have died conspicuous deaths with sparse information from officials. 

Lee’s Summit is consolidating elementary schools because of declining enrollment, Independence is experimenting with a four-day school week and Hickman Mills continues to fight for full accreditation.

Meanwhile, eastern Jackson County residents are leading a grassroots effort to oust the county executive over property tax concerns, and a controversial pastor accused of preaching conspiracy theories was elected to the Missouri Senate. 

The ideal candidate will have an understanding of how local governments and institutions work. They will know how to develop a network of trusted sources and will be confident in their ability to pitch ideas to drive the beat.

We are looking for stories that connect the decisions of those in power to the everyday quality of life of Jackson County residents in sharp, fresh ways. We want stories that check forces of power when they don’t follow through, as well as stories about the next generation of cultural influencers shaping the county outside the halls of government.

We are looking for candidates with strong interpersonal skills who can collaborate with editors, reporters, other staff members and residents. This reporter will work closely with editors and our audience development team to make sure we are reaching readers who have shown a thirst for this coverage.

What you'll bring:

• One to three years of reporting experience, ideally with examples of work related to local governments and/or accountability reporting.
• Strong writing skills and excellent news judgment.
• An unwavering commitment to accurate, ethical journalism.
• Comfort pitching stories consistently.
• An ability to stay organized and manage time while monitoring multiple government bodies.
• An understanding of public records laws and how to use them.
• A collaborator who works well as part of a team. 
• A self-starter who will develop a strong network of sources to find and pursue stories that will reach a broad local audience.
• An interest in telling stories using a variety of media and engagement tools, and an enthusiasm for learning new skills and technologies.
• Competency in and curiosity about how metrics, analytics and an understanding of SEO and other audience optimization tactics can help stories connect with more local readers.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including empathy and the ability to take and give constructive criticism.
• Humility, a willingness to ask questions, receive constructive feedback, seek support, try new things and always keep learning.

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, include a persuasive cover letter, your resume and four to six examples of your best work when you apply.

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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