Accountability Reporter

Location: San Jose, California, United States. The position reports to the San Jose office, includes field assignments throughout the Bay Area, occasional work-related driving, in-person training or meetings, and shift work outside normal business hours.

Salary: $35.00–$41.88 per hour, plus a cell phone stipend.

Company

hirify.global operates local and regional print and digital news publications, including The Mercury News and the East Bay Times.

What you will do

• Develop sources across government, 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 stories across digital platforms and social media in real time.
• Write clear, engaging stories and manage multiple assignments under deadline pressure.

Requirements

• At least five years of professional journalism experience.
• Strong news judgment and a track record of reporting beyond surface-level coverage.
• Experience using sources, records, and data to uncover original stories.
• Comfort reporting and publishing across digital platforms and social media.
• Valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and willingness to complete a background check and MVR check.
• Availability for office-based work in San Jose, Bay Area field assignments, occasional driving, and shift work.

Nice to have

• Experience covering breaking news, government, housing, business, or accountability topics.
• Additional language skills.

Culture & Benefits

• Collaborative regional enterprise newsroom serving a diverse local readership.
• Medical, dental, life, and disability insurance for eligible employees.
• 401(k), paid time off, and select paid holidays for eligible employees.
• Work includes coverage for the Pulitzer Prize-winning Mercury News and the East Bay Times.

Hiring process

• Submit an online application with a resume, cover letter, and four to five work samples.
• Complete a full pre-employment background check and MVR check.