Summary:
The San Diego Union-Tribune is seeking an experienced, tenacious and enterprising Education Reporter to cover K-12 education and youth in San Diego County. The ideal candidate will have a deep interest in the beat and a strong track record of holding institutions accountable.
This reporter will cover the human-level impacts of everything from education policy decisions, budget woes and political fights to the disparities facing families, the efforts to reduce them and the deeper inequities that exacerbate them. They’ll explore young people’s experiences in and beyond the classroom — the impacts of trauma and discipline, how kids are (and aren’t) getting to school or learning to read, and how schools are (and aren’t) serving students with disabilities, language barriers and other needs. They’ll write about everything from the scandals engulfing education leaders to the unique ways local youth and schools serve their communities.
This is a key reporting role in our award-winning newsroom, one that touches on many of the region’s biggest issues, from homelessness to immigration to affordability. And it’s a great opportunity to produce impactful enterprise journalism and people-centered features alike, while reporting on the county’s hundreds of thousands of youth and its several dozen public school districts (including the state’s second-largest), charter schools and more.
Please note: Our newsroom is primarily remote. Although candidates must be based in the San Diego region, they can work from home, our Mission Valley offices or a hybrid of both.
What you will do:
Report on San Diego County schools, education and youth issues — including curriculum changes, pandemic recovery, student achievement, behavioral health, funding, technology, governance, oversight, early childhood education and the many social issues that intersect with and are served by (or litigated in) schools
Produce a mix of news stories, enterprise, people-focused features, explanatory journalism and records- and data-driven accountability reporting
Establish and nurture relationships with key sources — students, educators, policymakers and more — and skill in obtaining and analyzing public records and data
Engage regularly with local communities, and develop creative, solutions-oriented journalism that serves their needs
Routinely pitch, discuss and develop story ideas with a supervising editor
Collaborate regularly — with photographers, investigative reporters, other beat reporters and utility journalists — and contribute to an inclusive, positive culture of teamwork
Pitch in on occasional weekend and holiday reporting shifts
Keep informed and up-to-date on local, state and national education issues, policy, news, trends and best practices
What you will bring:
At least three years of journalism experience, preferably covering education
Strong news judgment and ability to prioritize and meet deadlines
Skilled in digesting complex subjects and presenting in a clear, engaging way
Mastery of various journalistic writing forms, including narrative and explanatory styles
Inclusive approach and ability to work collaboratively and adaptively in a team setting
Commitment to fundamentals of journalism — skepticism, fairness, accuracy and accessibility — and to serving and reflecting San Diego County’s diverse communities
Strong interpersonal, critical-thinking and problem-solving skills
A creative spirit, digital-first mindset and experience with community engagement
Skilled in Spanish or another language other than English (preferred but not required)
Fluency in public records, data analysis, other investigative techniques and/or data graphics tools (preferred but not required)
Valid driver's license and reliable transportation required
The hourly wage is $28.85 - $31.25. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, time in role, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, MediaNews Group offers a comprehensive benefits package, and 401K plan (all benefits are based on eligibility).
Who we are:
The San Diego Union-Tribune, a subsidiary of MediaNews Group, is San Diego’s largest media company and its oldest business, dating back to the founding of the Union in 1868.
Today, Union-Tribune publications reach more than 96 percent of San Diego County households each week. The company portfolio includes its Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper, The San Diego Union-Tribune; the region’s leading website, SanDiegoUnionTribune.com; weekly entertainment guide Night + Day; lifestyle magazine Pacific San Diego; The San Diego Union-Tribune en Español; and nine community newspapers: the La Jolla Light; Del Mar Times; Encinitas Advocate; Solana Beach Sun; Carmel Valley Times; Poway News Chieftain; Rancho Santa Fe Review; Ramona Sentinel and Rancho Bernardo News Journal.
Part of the mission of The San Diego Union-Tribune is to build a stronger, more inclusive San Diego, through our coverage and our community events. A diverse, inclusive, transparent workplace is instrumental in that effort. To better reflect and serve the community, the Union-Tribune is sharing the demographic data of its staff and management team and will track it over time to measure improvement.
“Built In Best Places to Work 2023 & 2024 Winner”
We are an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.
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