The Idaho Statesman seeks a driven, audience-focused college sports reporter to join its award-winning newsroom in Boise, one of the fastest-growing metro areas in America. This reporter will lead our coverage of Boise State football, basketball and other teams, as well as provide coverage of the athletics administration.

Boise State football, in particular, has gained national fame over the past quarter-century and is a critical coverage area for our newsroom. It’s an intense beat in-season that requires someone who is eager to chase the latest news and comfortable working an ever-changing and hectic schedule. The successful candidate also will need to find ways to engage our audience on and off platform.

Join the newsroom that has competed with major national and international outlets on the University of Idaho murders case. At the Idaho Statesman, we put a premium on breaking stories first as well as investing in hard-nosed, accountability journalism that our audience can’t get anywhere else. 

Our journalism focuses on our local communities, 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. And we are part of McClatchy, a digitally driven company focused on innovation, with newsrooms in 30 communities in the United States.

In recent years, our team has sparked a change in state law on restraint and seclusion in schools, produced a series of stories spotlighting the individual struggles caused by our housing crisis, and prompted the state to invest $2 billion in school facilities to address their disrepair. That work has resulted in numerous awards, including Idaho Press Club awards for reporter of the year, photographer of the year and sports reporter of the year for 2023 – the second straight year that we swept those awards.

We are located in Boise, Idaho, a community that lands on many best-of lists for its quality of life. Our community features unique restaurants, many opportunities for outdoor recreation and a lively arts scene. 

In our Boise State reporter, we’re seeking a versatile and resourceful journalist who is as skilled in public records as they are in developing sources. You’ll need a passion for accountability journalism and the curiosity to seek the missing details. 

In this role, you will need to:

• Focus on stories that build readership
• Build engaging multimedia storytelling skills
• Demonstrate speed, competitiveness and SEO savvy 
• Work well in a team environment. 

The successful candidate should meet many, though not necessarily all, of the following requirements:

• College degree preferred, or equivalent experience. 
• 2-5 years of reporting experience. 
• Must have reliable transportation. Must have valid driver’s license and vehicle insurance required (at least minimum insurance required for the state in which the employee works).
• Strong writing skills, excellent news judgment and a demonstrated ability to “see the story” that is going to matter to readers.
• Commitment to ethics.
• Ability to build source networks and bring a constant flow of story ideas.
• Ability to work collaboratively to aggressively tackle stories.
• Comfort with a job that will be demanding, fast-paced and constantly evolving.
• Facility with data, public records and business reports.

What we’ll bring: As a journalist at McClatchy, 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, wealth and daily life, our package options includes health care 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 benefit 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.

To apply, include a persuasive 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.