The West Coast of the United States is experiencing climate change in ways scarcely imaginable even a decade ago. Each year brings unprecedented heat, the threat of water shortages and the devastation — and bills — from intensifying fires that no longer stick to a season.

ProPublica is seeking a reporter to cover the West Coast, from California to Alaska, and climate as an investigative beat, describing not only how climate change is being lived but how decisions by individuals, industries and governments are shaping life-and-death outcomes. We want stories that will surprise, that probe deeply, that test underlying assumptions and that show how California, the nation’s most influential climate policy lab, as well as Washington, Oregon and Alaska, are making choices that will resonate across the country and around the world.

We’re looking for a reporter who:

• Has a track record of aggressive reporting and landing revelatory stories, particularly about California and the West Coast.
• Aches to report stories that are both important and powerfully told.
• Is truly excited about all the possible ways we can do journalism nowadays: from deep data digging to working with readers to marrying narrative and investigative forms.
• Really likes working with others. Everybody at ProPublica has their own superpower. And we do our best work together.

We know there are great candidates who may not fit into what we’ve described above or who have important skills we haven’t thought of. If that’s you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself.

We are dedicated to improving our newsroom, in part by better reflecting the people we cover. (Here is a breakdown of our staff.) We are committed to diversity and building an inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds and ages. And we are taking steps to meet that commitment. We especially encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including women, people of color, LGBTQ people and people with disabilities. We are an equal opportunity employer and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age or any other status protected under applicable law.

This job is full time and includes benefits. This reporter should reside on the West Coast. Applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S.

If all of this sounds exciting to you, you can apply using this form.

We will begin reviewing applications on May 23, but we will continue to consider candidates as long as the posting remains live on our site.

Questions? Send an email to Talia Buford, talent development director, at talent@propublica.org.

No phone calls, please.