Job Description:

The Wichita Eagle is looking for an enterprising reporter to break news and hold local government leaders and institutions accountable for their decisions. This reporter will help readers understand the context of events and decisions that affect their lives.

This reporter must have strong source-building skills and the ability to move beyond meeting coverage and report enterprise stories that readers can’t get anywhere else. Candidates must be able to explain complex information in a way that is engaging and easy to understand.

This reporter will have an unwavering commitment to fairness and accuracy, in fact and in tone, and a strong grounding in journalism ethics. And they must have the desire and skills to build audience loyalty, engagement and growth around compelling public service journalism. 

What you’ll bring: 

• Strong writing and reporting skills, excellent news judgment and a demonstrated ability to “see the story” that is going to matter to readers.
• Ability to build source networks and bring a constant flow of ideas for stories that will reach a broad audience.
• An understanding of public records laws and ability to file, manage and oversee requests pertinent to beat work.
• An interest in telling stories using a variety of media and engagement tools, and an enthusiasm for learning new skills and technologies, such as AI.
• Fluency in the science of readership and engagement, including an understanding of metrics/analytics programs. Understanding of SEO and other optimization opportunities. Ability to understand audience lenses and correctly identify audiences for selected stories.
• Ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively. Workflows require constant conversations between reporters and editors and between reporters and their audience as a story evolves.
• Ability to work comfortably in a job that will be fast-paced, data-driven, shaped constantly by feedback and experimentation and always evolving.

Minimum requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism or related field
• Two years of experience in a digital-first environment preferred
• Familiarity/experience with accountability journalism preferred

What we’ll bring: 

The Wichita Eagle, in print and online as Kansas.com, is the leading and essential source for news, information and commentary in south-central Kansas. In the past four years the work of Eagle journalists has won numerous national and regional awards, including the George Polk Award for Political Reporting, the Carmage Walls Commentary Prize, the Frank A. Blethen Award for Local Accountability Reporting and an Emmy for Documentary Program: Topical.

Our journalism focuses on our community, and in that role we have the ability to spotlight problems, highlight solutions and truly make a difference -- all the reasons you got into journalism.

We are part of McClatchy, a digitally driven company focused on innovation. Here, you will join a supportive, flexible, collaborative team.

McClatchy strives to be an employer of choice, and our benefits package is made with this goal in mind. With a focus on health, well-being and daily life, our package options include healthcare coverage for employees and their families, financial protection from expected and unexpected expenses, multiple no-cost wellness resources and even coverage for four-legged friends. 

Our overall benefits package also includes a 401(k) with employer match, competitive paid time off and corporate holidays, and a variety of mental health benefits. With an excellent support team and with focus on your well-being as a top corporate strategy, McClatchy provides benefits to support you and your family in achieving your health and wellness goals. For more information on McClatchy's benefit plan, please visit McClatchyLivewell.com.

To apply, include a cover letter, your resume and four to six examples of your best work.

About McClatchy:

Our impact is growing every day. 30 growing markets. Over 65 million monthly readers. 57 Pulitzer Prizes. A strong portfolio of dynamic partnerships and smart investments. Our award-winning journalism, digital reach, and commitment to innovative growth have never been stronger. 

As a member of the McClatchy family, you are part of a flexible, empowering, and exciting culture dedicated to creating a work/life balance and consistent opportunities for growth—a place where you have a voice and the ability to impact our future. It’s an exciting time to be here. Our company is experiencing the most transformative period in its history. We’re growing rapidly in the digital space and delivering award-winning journalism in innovative ways.

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