If you’re a journalist inspired to follow stories about the impact of climate change and what California is doing to try to slow its effects, then you may be the next environment reporter at  CalMatters — an award-winning and influential nonprofit, multimedia news venture focused on covering the cutting-edge state of California.

The state has long been a global leader on climate policy, making this position a tremendous opportunity for an experienced, passionate environmental journalist. The beat will focus on what the state is doing, how it is working and what difference it is making for California and beyond. It means tracking regulations, mastering the political context, analyzing data, and doing field reporting to understand and communicate to a broad audience what’s happening and why it matters to them. We’re seeking someone who is committed to holding state policymakers accountable, as they struggle to address what our former governor famously termed “an existential crisis.” 

CalMatters produces vivid, original multimedia journalism and data-driven news analyses that appear daily on calmatters.org and are distributed freely to more than 250 media partners statewide. You’ll be joining a supportive, diverse staff of 50+ across the state and a small environmental team that includes one Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter and another who recently won a first place for beat reporting from the Society of Environmental Journalists. This position allows remote work but also requires frequent work in Sacramento to cover actions of the governor, Legislature and state agencies.

Responsibilities include:

• Report and write climate and other environmental stories in a variety of formats, including in-depth longform, smart enterprise, data-rich card deck explainers and occasional breaking news. 
• Collaborate on inventive packages that may include video, audio and data interactives.
• Contribute to regular brainstorming sessions with ideas that create understanding about the problems and the solutions that can make a difference. 
• Follow developments via legislative bills, state policy-making and policy-enforcing agencies, academic research, and advocacy efforts.
• Participate in public events and appearances on radio, television and social media platforms.
• Contribute to the story production process including work with our CMS, creating data graphics and using SEO best practices.

Required:

• At least three years of professional journalism experience, preferably including coverage of the environment and the policy-making process.
• Sharp writing skills, with work samples that showcase the ability to engage readers and translate complex environmental issues into relatable, human stories.

These would be a plus:

• Experience covering climate policy
• Deep familiarity with California and its diverse communities
• Science training/background
• Skills in data collection and analysis
• The ability to report and write in both Spanish and English

We are an expanding and collaborative newsroom, successfully forging a new model for sustainable, intelligent, nonprofit journalism. We have the financial backing of smart, politically diverse funders and foundations who strongly believe in and support our work. We offer excellent health and retirement benefits, including a 401K match, as well as annual professional development stipends. We’re committed to diversity and especially encourage members of underrepresented communities to apply.

More About CalMatters

CalMatters is an award-winning nonprofit, nonpartisan news venture dedicated to explaining the policy and politics of America’s biggest state and the world’s fifth largest economy. We produce vivid, original journalism and data-driven news analyses and watchdog reporting, and distribute our work to more than 250+ media partners, on calmatters.org, and via Apple News, SmartNews and other platforms.

Since we launched six and a half years ago, CalMatters has carved out a leadership role at the center of the media ecosystem in California, establishing ourselves as a trusted brand and “go-to” hub for in-depth news and information on statewide issues. Our work has led to changes in policy, new legislation, investigations and discussions at the Capitol, in political groups and beyond — and created an awareness of important issues that aren’t getting covered anywhere else. 

Our team has been recognized and honored with top state, regional and national awards from ONA, the Society of Environmental Journalists, the National Press Club, the Public Media Journalists Association, the Institute for Nonprofit News, the Edward R. Murrow Award, SPJ NorCal, Best of the West and California News Publishers.

If you’re interested, please provide a resume, a cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job, and links to at least six online samples of your work.

Apply here or apply by email, write to jobs@calmatters.org with the job title in the subject line.