Indigenous Affairs Reporter

Role Description

We’re looking for an ambitious reporter to cover one of the most important — and underreported — communities in California: the state’s more than 100 federally recognized Native American tribes. This beat sits at the intersection of sovereignty, politics, land, environment, and economic power. From water rights and wildfire management to housing development, gaming revenue, and state policy, tribes play a critical and growing role in shaping California’s future.

You’ll produce accountability-driven journalism that explains how tribal governments operate, how they influence decision making, and how policy decisions impact Native communities. The ideal candidate has experience covering tribal communities, is skilled at building relationships and trust with diverse Native communities, and is passionate about helping explain how policies impact the lives of California's Native communities. This position requires creativity, adaptability, and a strong ability to report, connect, and engage with audiences on all platforms.

You will be a CalMatters employee who will collaborate with our partners at ICT (Indian Country Today) on work that will run in both of our publications.

Qualifications

• Experience covering tribal communities
• Skilled at building relationships and trust with diverse Native communities
• Passionate about explaining how policies impact Native communities
• Creativity and adaptability
• Strong ability to report, connect, and engage with audiences on all platforms

Requirements

• Break original stories that reveal how power and policy affect tribal communities
• Translate complex legal and policy frameworks (sovereignty, compacts, land status) into clear, compelling journalism
• Collaborate with data, visuals, and engagement teams to deepen impact
• Travel regularly across California, including to rural and remote areas
• Produce a mix of daily and enterprise stories

Benefits

• Salary range: $74,000 to $81,000 per year
• Full-time position represented by the Pacific Media Workers Guild
• Complete benefits package with medical, dental, and vision insurance (95% coverage for employees and dependents)
• Paid family leave
• 401(k) program with up to 4% salary match
• Life insurance at no cost

How to Apply

CalMatters is committed to becoming an antiracist organization. We encourage you to ask us about what concrete steps we are taking in service of these ideals. We strongly encourage applicants who are people of color, LGBTQ, and people with disabilities, regardless of national origin, alienage, and/or former incarceration status.

A college degree is not required. If you’re interested, please submit your resume, a cover letter explaining your interest in this beat, and 3–5 clips.