Government affairs reporter

Government affairs reporter Cambridge Day seeks a veteran reporter to cover government affairs. We are a general news and information website and print weekly dedicated to reporting on Cambridge and Somerville, Massachusetts. Amid contentious debates about housing, taxes, schools and police, we aim to give residents news and information they can use to be civically engaged residents and savvier voters. Job Description and Expectations: We seek a reporter who can break news, write pieces that hold officials and city staff accountable, and develop enterprise stories. The ideal reporter should be more focused on the citizenry than on staff and elected officials. The beat will have a mix of enterprise reporting and news stories, including a mix of previews of and coverage from City Council meetings and select committee meetings. Some coverage can be done remotely. The work will likely include some crosstown coverage on issues where Cambridge and Somerville are working on similar initiatives. The reporter may be able to leverage AI tools for some aspects of coverage, such as summaries of council and committee meetings. The ideal candidate will have some sources in Cambridge government and be prepared to develop new ones. Requirements: ● At least five years of news reporting experience, preferably including time reporting on government affairs. ● Ability to work flexible hours, including covering evening City Council meetings. ● Excellent writing skills in English. Fluency in a language besides English is a plus ; some 35 percent of Cambridge residents speak a language other than English. ● A willingness to be edited. ● The ability to manage multiple stories. ● A deep commitment to journalistic integrity and ethics. ● An ability to cover breaking news accurately. ● Familiarity with reporting on people of diverse cultures and backgrounds. Plus ● Photography experience a plus. ● Familiarity with WordPress a plus. ● Knowledge of AP style. ● Facility with social media. ● Good interpersonal communication skills. ● Multimedia storytelling experience a plus. ● Must be able to handle a local news environment. ● Can handle special duties as assigned, such as pitching in on breaking news on other beats. Hours and Pay rate: $80,000 a year, plus a stipend for health coverage and a retirement contribution. Two weeks vacation in the first year, then three weeks. *Additional Benefits: Discount on T pass as needed, other ways to ease work open for discussion. Please send a cover letter, links to story samples and a resume to: Michael F. Fitzgerald, editor-in-chief [email protected]