Reporter (Local News)

Location: Walnut Creek, California, United States; hybrid work with approximately 60% field reporting across Oakland and Alameda County and 40% writing and collaboration in the Oakland office. Occasional travel to Concord and San Jose is required, along with daily driving for assignments and meetings.

Salary: $28.00–$30.92 per hour, plus a cell phone stipend.

Company

hirify.global operates local print and digital news publications, including the East Bay Times and other Bay Area News Group outlets.

What you will do

• Break news and cover major developments across Oakland.
• Produce explanatory, enterprise, and accountability journalism about government, housing, public safety, homelessness, business, and community issues.
• Build sources across government, neighborhoods, businesses, advocacy groups, and community organizations.
• Use documents, data, and public records to uncover original stories.
• Report and publish across digital platforms and social media in real time.
• Collaborate with newsroom colleagues, manage multiple deadlines, and occasionally cover stories outside the primary beat.

Requirements

• At least five years of professional journalism experience, ideally including breaking news and government, housing, business, or accountability coverage.
• Strong news judgment, competitive drive, and the ability to produce reporting beyond surface-level coverage.
• Experience working with sources, records, and data to uncover original stories.
• Ability to manage multiple stories under deadline pressure and publish across digital platforms and social media.
• Proficiency with online tools for real-time communication across newsroom offices and the field.
• Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, willingness to complete a background check and MVR, and availability for shift work are required.

Nice to have

• Additional language skills.

Culture & Benefits

• Collaborative regional newsroom with support from experienced editors.
• Medical, dental, life, and disability insurance for eligible employees.
• 401(k), paid time off, and select paid holidays for eligible employees.
• Work across field, office, print, digital, mobile, and social platforms.

Hiring process

• Submit an online application and resume.
• Include two to three samples showcasing the best work.
• Complete a pre-employment background check and MVR.