Reporter

Summary: We’re looking to add a standout reporter to our team at The Mercury News, covering one of the most dynamic and consequential regions in the Bay Area: the Peninsula. This is not a routine city beat, and it is not a meeting-coverage job. The Peninsula is home to some of the Bay Area’s most powerful companies, wealthiest communities, fastest-changing downtowns and most urgent affordability pressures. Decisions made here about housing, transportation, climate, public safety, development and government ripple across the region. We expect reporting that reframes the news and pushes past “what happened” to reveal consequence, accountability and impact. That means spotting the story others miss, pressing for answers and turning even routine developments into journalism that stands out. The Peninsula offers a rare mix of local and regional stakes: cities grappling with growth and inequality, coastal communities facing climate threats, residents struggling with the cost of living and powerful institutions shaping the future of the Bay Area. We’re committed to covering it with urgency, depth and ambition, and we’re looking for someone who shares that mindset. Candidates will report to our San Jose office and are expected to complete field assignments on the Peninsula What you will do:

• Break news and own major developments across the Peninsula

• Go beyond daily updates to deliver reporting that explains impact and stakes

• Build deep sourcing across government, neighborhoods, business, advocacy groups and community organizations

• Pursue accountability reporting using documents, data and public records

• Collaborate across the newsroom on high-impact coverage

• Report and publish across platforms in real time

• Own this beat: you can move fast, think critically, and consistently deliver journalism that goes beyond incremental updates

• You’ll have a hand in covering the biggest stories shaping the Peninsula, from housing and homelessness to downtown development, coastal resilience, transportation, public safety and the influence of tech and life sciences on local communities

• You’ll be expected to break news and drive the daily conversation while also producing deeply reported work that explains what’s changing, who’s affected and why it matters now

• Work independently and collaboratively, partnering with editors, photographers and other reporters to produce journalism across platforms

What you will bring:

• Strong news judgment and a competitive drive

• The ability to write clean, engaging stories with clarity and authority

• A track record of producing reporting that goes beyond surface-level coverage

• Experience working sources, records and data to uncover original stories

• The ability to manage multiple stories under deadline pressure

• Comfort reporting and publishing across digital platforms and social media

• Comfortable chasing a late-night development, filing quickly on deadline and stepping back to build sources, analyze records and deliver enterprise that holds up over time.

• At least five years of professional journalism experience, ideally including breaking news and government, housing, business or accountability coverage

• Additional language skills are a plus

Benefits and Compensation: The hourly wage range is $30.80 - $34.33 + cell stipend and mileage reimbursement. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to geographic location, education, work experience, time in role, certifications, etc. In addition to your salary, the Company offers eligible employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, 401k, as well as paid time off and select paid holidays (all benefits are based on eligibility). Please click the following link for more detailed information: Who we are: As the Bay Area's top source for local news, the Bay Area News Group reaches more than 5 million people weekly through a powerful combination of print and digital products. Our publications include The Mercury News serving Silicon Valley and the Peninsula; the East Bay Times serving Oakland, Walnut Creek, Pleasanton and the rest of the East Bay; and more than 20 weekly publications. We connect with a diverse and engaged audience, offering a premiere local news report and comprehensive advertising and marketing solutions across web, mobile and print platforms. The Bay Area News Group is a subsidiary of MediaNews Group, which has 49 Pulitzer Prizes and a nationwide audience, delivering award-winning content across 800 platforms and leading the transformation of the news industry. “4x Built In Best Places to Work Winner - 2023-2026”   EEO Statement: We are an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status. How To Apply:

• Please submit an online application along with your resume for this position here . In addition to your resume, please include 3-4 clips showcasing your best work

Closing Date:

• Continuous recruitment until the position is filled

Conditions of Employment: 

• A full pre-employment background check and MVR will be conducted as part of the selection process. Must be willing to submit and pass the necessary required checks

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and have reliable transportation

• Travel – This position entails occasional driving for work assignments, in -person training sessions, and/or meetings. The employee will be responsible for transporting themselves between different sites as needed

• Must be available for shift work. May be required to work various hours for coverage outside of normal business hours