Climate, Environment & Water Reporter

What You'll Own

You will anchor a dedicated Climate, Environment & Water (CEW) reporting beat for the News-Press, contributing strong original reporting across media formats, including:

• Daily and weekly beat stories
• Community profiles, breaking news and developing stories
• Features, data journalism, and investigations

What You'll Do

Report and write
Develop and report original stories through on-the-ground reporting
Write clear, accurate, well-structured stories on deadline
File breaking news quickly while maintaining accuracy and fairness
Develop long-form, investigative and explanatory features
Work across formats
Contribute through written text and photos
Shoot short-form video for publishing across multiple platforms
Work with editors and colleagues to adapt reporting for different platforms
Present at periodic in-person News-Press events focusing on environmental topics
Collaborate in a modern newsroom
Work closely with editors, fellow reporters and visual journalists
Contribute ideas
Be open to feedback and committed to continuous improvement
Occasionally cover general assignment stories or breaking news as needed

Relevant Qualifications

• A degree in journalism or college-level journalism coursework
• A minimum of three years of professional reporting experience in an environmental or related beat
• Excellent reporting and writing skills
• Proficiency in understanding, analyzing, and presenting data in an understandable way
• Experience and comfort publishing stories in short-form vertical video format

Preferred Skills and Abilities

• A minimum of five years professional reporting experience and/or academic background in environmental topics
• Familiarity with digital publishing workflows
• Spanish language speaking and writing skills

Why This Role Matters

You will be a core member of a growing team working to transform the 158-year-old Santa Barbara News-Press into an innovative digital-first local news outlet. This role exists to provide strong foundational reporting on the most important news of Santa Barbara County and the Central Coast via timely, fact-based storytelling that resonates with our local community.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) plan with matching employer contribution
• 22 days of vacation time
• 11 holidays, including your birthday
• Parental leave
• Significant tuition reductions
• $30 bi-weekly cell phone reimbursement

How to Apply

Please include:

• A written resume
• Clips or links to recent written reporting (ideally five to eight pieces that together showcase your editorial range across different types of articles, ex. daily news, longform, profile, analysis, etc.)
• Clips or links to any video or audio news stories you have produced or been a part of producing
• A note on your journalistic background, professional aspirations in this role, interest in covering the greater Santa Barbara community and why the News-Press would be a good fit (max. 1 written page)

Please assemble these materials into a single document and upload them in PDF format. This position is fully in-person, excepting that your reporting responsibilities will require you to travel throughout the county and may mean you are not in the office every day. Reporters must have a valid driver's license and access to a vehicle in good working condition, with suitable auto insurance coverage. Occasional night and weekend work is required.