Job Description

Are you a journalist who loves variety, thrives on curiosity, and gets excited about telling the stories that bring a community to life? The Modesto FOCUS , a brand-new nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom, is looking for a General Assignment Reporter to capture the heart and soul of Modesto and Stanislaus County.

As part of the Central Valley Journalism Collaborative , The Modesto FOCUS will launch in mid-2025 with a mission to deliver high-quality journalism and critical information to Stanislaus County and the northern San Joaquin Valley. This isn’t a typical general assignment job; it’s an opportunity to dig deep into the community, explore its vibrant culture, and uncover the stories that make Modesto and Stanislaus County tick. Whether it’s writing a quick-turn story, diving into a longer, more in-depth piece, or producing explanatory journalism that breaks down complex issues, this role is defined by a desire to tell great stories and to fill multiple roles as part of a small-but-mighty team.

As part of a startup newsroom, this reporter will thrive on the challenges and benefits of building something new. From defining workflows to creating community connections, you’ll play a key role in shaping The Modesto FOCUS from the ground up.

Responsibilities

• Write stories including features, explanatory journalism, and general assignment pieces that showcase the people, organizations, arts, and culture that define Modesto and Stanislaus County.
• Cover a wide variety of topics, including events, human interest stories, cultural happenings, community initiatives, government and more.
• Develop and maintain trusted connections across the community to find untold stories and hidden gems.
• Bring curiosity, creativity, and a passion for storytelling to every assignment, finding fresh angles and approaches.
• Balance quick-turn stories with longer, more in-depth reporting projects.
• Collaborate with the newsroom team to deliver timely, engaging, and impactful content.

Qualifications

• Experience: Mid-career journalist with a strong background in reporting, preferably with experience at a local news organization. 
• Passion: A love of community-based journalism and a strong interest in exploring the fabric of Modesto and Stanislaus County.
• Skills: Excellent writing, research, and analytical skills. Proficiency in data journalism and multimedia storytelling is a plus.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Collaboration: Ability to work collaboratively with students, editors, sources and community members. Strong mentoring skills and a commitment to development.
• Cultural competence: Strong understanding of the cultural, social, and economic factors affecting Stanislaus County communities.
• Technical skills: Proficiency in multimedia journalism tools and platforms, including video production, photography, and social media.
• Research skills: Ability to conduct thorough research and present complex information in an accessible and engaging manner.
• Interpersonal skills: Excellent interviewing skills and the ability to build rapport with diverse sources.
• Travel: This position is based in Modesto, CA. Driving to other Stanislaus County/San Joaquin Valley locations will be required.

Bonus Points for:

• Language proficiency: Fluency in Spanish and English, with excellent written and verbal communication skills in both languages, 
• Multi-platform experience: Podcasting, photography, video production or data visualization.
• Social media competency: Experience using social platforms such as Whatsapp to develop sources and reach coverage communities.

Compensation and Benefits 

• Full-time exempt position with starting salary of $75k-90k annually based on experience with excellent benefits (100% medical coverage for employees, 50% coverage for dependents) provided to qualified candidates who meet the minimum requirements. 
• Professional development, training, and conferences offered for staff
• Starting at three weeks of vacation with generous sick, holidays and additional personal days to use as needed 
• Retirement with employer contribution
• Relocation assistance available for the right candidate
• Professional development, training, and conferences offered for staff in related professional field 
• Mileage reimbursement will be provided

CVJC is an equal opportunity employer and fosters a workplace without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, or any other characteristic. CVJC also follows and adheres to the latest COVID safety measure per federal, state, and local county guidelines.

In the application process you will be asked to provide:

• Resume/CV: Detailed professional resume or curriculum vitae.
• Cover letter: Explain your interest in the job and relevant experience.
• Writing samples: Provide at least three samples of your reporting.
• References: Contact information for three professional references.

About the Central Valley Journalism Collaborative
Launched by the James B. McClatchy Foundation ( JBMF ) in 2021, the Central Valley Journalism Collaborative (CVJC) is a nonprofit superstructure dedicated to ensuring public service journalism thrives in California’s Central Valley. CVJC publishes The Merced FOCUS and recently launched  The Intersection , a reporting lab focused on health equity in the northern San Joaquin Valley. In 2025, it will launch its second community-based newsroom, The Modesto FOCUS. It also supports Valley newsrooms through grants and training programs. 

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