Local Accountability Reporter, Spotlight PA State College

Summary: We are seeking a passionate reporter to provide vital accountability reporting in north-central Pennsylvania for Spotlight PA, an award-winning, independent, and nonpartisan newsroom focused on urgent statewide issues. The mission of Spotlight PA is simple: to hold powerful private and public forces to account by producing journalism that gets results and serves the public good. This reporter is an integral part of Spotlight PA’s State College regional bureau.

This reporter will be a critical check on local and regional elected officials and agencies. This reporter will cover how the actions of local and county governments affect people’s daily lives, how tax dollars are spent, and what happens when oversight falls short.

What you’ll do: This reporter will particularly focus on coverage related to public safety, local collaboration with federal immigration enforcement, grant spending, and the challenges created by Pennsylvania’s patchwork system of local governments.

This reporter will be expected to build sources and scrutinize policies and services to determine their true impact on people.

This is an enterprise beat, and the reporter will be expected to regularly uncover and write stories and investigate issues that are otherwise getting little to no attention.

Spotlight PA partners with more than 130 newsrooms across the state to share stories, and this reporter will frequently collaborate with other journalists in the pursuit of impact-driven reporting.

Who we’re looking for: Ideal candidates will have accountability clips that show an ability to report beyond daily news, build a diverse network of sources, and aggressively fight for and use public records. We want someone who can persistently pitch stories and keep several projects of varying lengths cooking at one time. The best candidates will bring big ideas and a sense of urgency to work each day, and be eager to work with Spotlight PA’s team of like-minded reporters.

Some other ideal traits, though not essential:

• Knowledge of Pennsylvania
• Fluency in foreign languages, particularly Spanish
• A comfort with requesting, scrutinizing, and using data in the reporting process
• Familiarity with public records requests and managing appeals

This is a full-time Guild position and includes benefits. While we have the flexibility to find a compensation package that will work for the right candidate, this position is budgeted for a salary from $65,000-$75,000, depending on experience.

This position is based in north-central Pennsylvania. We can provide a moving stipend if the right candidate is moving to the state. Applicants should include a resume, cover letter, and links to journalism that they feel best exemplifies what we’re seeking.