Job Description

The Seattle Times, a family-owned news organization and one of the nation’s premier regional news sources, is hiring a  D.C. Correspondent . This reporter will examine federal government actions through a uniquely Pacific Northwest lens. This person would also cover how businesses headquartered in Washington state interact with the president, Pentagon, Congress and more.

This key reporter on our politics team will break news and provide deep accountability stories and behind-the-scenes narratives that engage our readers. This reporter will cover the Washington state congressional delegation and major legislative actions that impact our corner of the nation. This reporter will also regularly collaborate with our business team, which extensively covers major companies such as Boeing, Amazon and Microsoft. We are looking for someone who can cover the full range of political thought of Washington state’s congressional members and electorate.

 

We are looking for a curious reporter who will work collaboratively with other political reporters, and other reporters in beats as diverse as education, transportation and business to uncover news and report on ongoing issues.

The D.C. Correspondent will:

• Have a track record of digging up scoops.
• Develop diverse and knowledgeable sources in Congress and the federal government.
• Write daily news stories and craft clear, focused enterprise stories that illuminate the actions of our government.
• Produce stories on a cadence that will establish and underscore The Times’ authority as the go-to source for news on Washington state.
• Track how national politics and elections may drive change in the state.
• Identify stories that will drive readership, using callouts and audience analytics.
• Embrace an inclusive approach to story generation, framing, reporting and sourcing.
• Represent The Seattle Times in professional settings, including news conferences and public events.
• Travel occasionally to Washington state for reporting trips and visits to the newsroom.
• Welcome opportunities to contribute to the broader newsroom on group projects, occasional news shifts, and stories that transcend the beat system.
• Work with colleagues in Photo/Video, Graphics/Interactives and the Digital Team to create visually rich projects and explore creative new story forms.

Qualifications

We are committed to diversity and creating an inclusive newsroom and encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply. 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 five years’ experience as a government or politics reporter for a daily newsgathering organization.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree or relevant equivalent experience.
• Ability to file public-record requests and search databases.
• Strong command of standards, ethics and mission of journalism at The Seattle Times, regardless of platform.
• Demonstrate a deep understanding of government and national political dynamics.
• 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. Collaborative spirit; diplomacy when communicating up, down and across teams.
• Experience in traditional, shoe-leather reporting, as well as using social media to find and source stories. Familiarity with analytics is also a necessity.
• Familiarity with issues central to the Pacific Northwest is strongly preferred.

Compensation:  The full salary range for this position is $62,425 to $104,700. We typically pay between $75,000 to $104,700, 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
• Monthly internet stipend for predominately remote employees
• Complimentary Seattle Times subscription
• Wellness program
• Fertility coverage (with lifetime limits) for eligible employees
• Parental leave options

Please Note: This position requires the successful completion of pre-employment assessments including a criminal background check, a drug screen (excluding cannabis), and a motor vehicle report once an offer has been made. This position requires that you have access to reliable transportation to respond to work assignments. If you opt to use a personal vehicle for transportation, you must be able to provide proof of a valid driver’s license and auto insurance meeting the company's liability limits prior to hire. 

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 1.9 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.

Job Tags

Similar Jobs