Job Description :Reporting to the Deputy News Editor, this reporter will react quickly to major breaking news across the San Francisco Bay Area while bringing a strong background in courts, crime, and public safety. This role requires flexibility, sharp instincts, and a high-velocity reporting style-whether you're covering a high-profile trial, responding to an emergency scene, or breaking down a rapidly developing regional story. You will be on the front lines of one of the nation's most dynamic news environments, turning fast-moving events into clear, authoritative reporting.
Responsibilities:- Cover real-time breaking events across the San Francisco Bay Area with speed, accuracy, and urgency for the California Post.
- Lead coverage on major criminal and civil court cases, law enforcement agency accountability, and high-impact crime trends shaping the region.
- Pivot seamlessly between spot news, trending digital stories, public safety incidents, and broader regional enterprise assignments as news breaks.
- Spot local stories with viral potential or national resonance and deliver exclusive angles before the competition.
- Cultivate strong relationships across law enforcement, city agencies, legal communities, emergency services, and local neighborhoods.
- File rapid updates across web, mobile, social media, and video platforms, continuously updating developing stories in real time.
- Actively monitor court filings, police blotters, public records, and social media feeds to spot scoops and emerging trends.
- Travel regularly to courthouses across the Bay Area to cover hearings, arraignments, trials, and major verdict announcements in person.
Requirements:- 5-10 years of experience reporting for a fast-paced digital or print newsroom, with a strong background in general assignment, breaking news, or public safety beats.
- Superior news judgment with a proven ability to write fast, clean, and compelling copy on tight deadlines while managing multiple assignments.
- Strong familiarity with legal documents, court filings, and police operations, with the ability to translate complex legal jargon into clear, accessible prose.
- A relentless approach to newsgathering and a track record of building trusted sources across public safety and municipal agencies.
- Proficiency with CMS platforms (e.g., WordPress), SEO best practices, and social media distribution tools.
- Strong preference for candidates comfortable discussing their stories on camera or presenting short-form video updates for digital platforms.
- A desire to be first and best on major breaking stories while maintaining the highest standards of journalistic integrity and accuracy.
Preferred Qualifications:- Spanish or secondary language fluency.
- An established social media presence or professional digital following.
Note: This role is expected to be based remotely in the San Francisco Bay Area. All work arrangements are subject to change based on business needs. Base Pay Range: $115,000 - $145,000
We're committed to offering competitive and flexible compensation to attract top talent. This pay range reflects our good faith estimate for the role and may vary based on a candidate's experience, skills, location, and other relevant factors.
For bonus-eligible roles, targets are determined based on multiple considerations, including market benchmarks and individual contributions.
For benefits-eligible roles, we offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package covering health, retirement, wellbeing, and more, along with optional benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees.