Local Government/Politics Reporter

Job Description

About Us: Suncoast Searchlight is a new nonprofit newsroom dedicated to delivering in-depth, accountability journalism to Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties. Located along southwest Florida’s picturesque Gulf Coast, the Suncoast region boasts some of the nation’s best beaches and a wealth of investigative opportunities — from unchecked development and environmental crises to political clashes that make national headlines. 

That’s why we have secured funding for a reporter focused squarely on covering local government and politics. While some media outlets provide meeting coverage and basic policy reporting, we aim to go deeper — explaining how decisions are made, who benefits and how the outcomes affect everyday people, especially in underserved communities. We believe strong local journalism is essential to democracy, and we’re here to serve the public interest through bold, thoughtful accountability-driven storytelling.

About You: You’re a curious, civic-minded journalist who thrives on demystifying government processes and holding local institutions accountable. You know that budgets, zoning laws, public contracts and campaign finance filings aren’t boring — they’re blueprints for how power is wielded in a community.

You’re eager to dig for the story behind the story, not just report what was said in a meeting. You ask tough questions, seek out impacted voices and use public records to get answers. Whether you’re breaking down a budget or uncovering how political donations shape decisions, you’re always thinking about the impact on the public. And you have the clips to prove it, with a track record of stories that have led to tangible impact — whether it’s an ordinance being revised, a public official held accountable, or taxpayer spending redirected.

You also know how to balance urgency with depth. You’re comfortable writing quick-turn accountability stories and enterprise pieces while also working toward larger investigations. And you enjoy working with others. Collaboration is at the heart of what we do.

What You'll Do:

• Find, develop, report and write a mix of short-turn accountability stories and deeper enterprise pieces about local governments across the three-county region.

• Investigate how local governments allocate resources, award contracts and spend taxpayer money — and what that means for the people who live here.

• Attend relevant public meetings to develop sources, gather information and stay on top of emerging issues.

• Cultivate sources across local agencies, watchdog groups, advocacy organizations and impacted communities.

• Contribute to broader newsroom investigations and collaborate with colleagues within our newsroom and with partner newsrooms on cross-beat stories.

• Engage with community members throughout Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto counties to identify untold stories and gain a deeper understanding of local issues.

Qualifications:

• At least five years of experience as a reporter — with at least two years of them covering local government or politics — and a proven track record of producing accountability journalism that has made an impact.

• A collaborative spirit and a desire to work in a team-oriented environment.

• Strong writing and reporting skills, including the ability to distill complicated topics into clear, engaging narratives.

• Proven commitment to inclusive reporting in sourcing and coverage.

• Proficiency with digital tools, data journalism, and engaging with the public to source and shape stories.

• Familiarity with social media tools for sharing stories and engaging with the public.

Nice, But Not Necessary:

• Experience covering municipal budgets, campaign finance, development, housing or infrastructure.

• Experience taking and editing photos and videos.

• Comfort with content management systems and posting stories to websites.

• Ability to speak a second language, preferably Spanish.

Why Join Us? This is an opportunity to do impactful journalism in a region where this kind of work is urgently needed. As a member of our growing team, you’ll play a critical role in shaping the direction and future of our newsroom. You’ll work with passionate colleagues dedicated to producing top-notch journalism that drives change. You’ll earn between $75,000 to $100,000 (depending on your experience and skill set), with a health plan and 401K.

Position Funding/Long-Term Plans: This position is funded thanks to a grant from the Nancy Jo Marchisello Charitable Fund at Gulf Coast Community Foundation. The grant supports the role for one year, with the opportunity to apply for renewals in years two and three. Suncoast Searchlight will actively pursue additional funding to diversify our revenue streams and work toward making this a permanent position.

Hybrid Job: You must be willing to live in this region (Sarasota, Manatee, DeSoto counties) to cover the community. Exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis for candidates living just outside these counties. Although some work from home will be permitted, we are a highly collaborative team and will meet at – and work frequently from – our Sarasota-based newsroom.

How to Apply: Send a resume, cover letter and 3-5 samples of your best work to executive editor-in-chief Emily Le Coz at emily@suncoastsearchlight.org. Work samples can be links to online stories; if they’re behind a paywall, please include PDFs of clips instead. Be sure to include a brief description of each clip and mention any impact from your reporting.

Suncoast Searchlight is a project of the newly reconstituted Community News Collaborative, a nonprofit, Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex, gender, gender identity or expression.

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