About the job

Join the hundreds of talented and innovative team members who are making an impact every day at California Times, incorporating Los Angeles Times and San Diego Union-Tribune, two of the most iconic media brands in the nation. Whether you love to tell compelling stories or want to drive our award-winning powerhouse in new directions, the Los Angeles Times team is the place to be.

Job Description Summary

The Los Angeles Times has an opening for a state government and politics reporter in the Sacramento bureau.

The successful candidate will help Times readers see the success or failure of a variety of California government policies through the lens of inequality. The reporter will examine inequities tied to race, ethnicity and poverty and how they are mitigated or worsened by government politics and actions. Policies covered may include healthcare, the social safety net, housing, immigration and criminal justice.

In some instances, the reporter will lead coverage on these issues; in others, the reporter will join colleagues on other beats for in-depth reporting on California’s ever-widening gap between the affluent and the less affluent. Coverage will span California government, including the Legislature, state agencies and state programs administered on the local level.

Job Description

The position will require aggressive coverage of policy and legislation as well as on-the-ground reporting that uses explanations and context to show how California government affects real people. During election cycles, the reporter will contribute to coverage of California candidates and ballot measures.

Requirements

• A minimum of five years of journalism experience
• Ability to tackle a mix of enterprise and longer-term stories, along with breaking and daily news
• Excellent communication with peers, supervisors and the newsroom
• Proven ability to juggle multiple tasks in a deadline-driven environment
• Excellent skills in news writing and reporting, combining strong news judgment, fluency in style and deep knowledge of taste and legal considerations
• Ability to navigate digital platforms and stay on top of current events
• Comfortable and skilled at engaging with readers on digital platforms
• Understanding of the importance of accuracy and precision
• An ethical and inclusive approach in the workplace that promotes collaboration
• Comfortable appearing on TV, radio and podcasts on behalf of the L.A. Times
• Government reporting experience, either full time or as part of other beats, is strongly preferred. Experience with investigative reporting, data analysis or public records gathering is a bonus. Bilingual or multilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

This role is classified as Reporter in the Los Angeles Times Guild. The position will be based in Sacramento and occasional field reporting in other parts of California is expected. The Times’ state government team also assists with coverage of breaking stories across Northern California.

The L.A. Times is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Explore our company history, achievement, values, mission and more on our Careers Site .

Qualified applicants should upload a resume and cover letter to Sacramento Bureau Chief John Myers and Deputy Managing Editor Shelby Grad at the apply link.

Please note, the opportunity to attach additional documents appears on the third screen and is labeled “Upload.”

Thank you for your interest in joining our team at the Los Angeles Times! We look forward to reviewing your application.