Columnist/Editorial Writer

Position: Editorial Writer / Columnist

The San Francisco Chronicle is looking for a thoughtful journalist with policy chops, strong analytical skills and a deep understanding of Bay Area and California politics to join its editorial board. In this role, you’ll work with the editorial page editor to craft deeply reported columns and unsigned editorials on public policy and how it impacts life for Californians. You’ll also drive special projects—such as election endorsements and longform initiatives—and help grow our digital reach and audience engagement.

Key Responsibilities

• Produce a weekly column under your own byline as well as several agenda-setting monthly editorials on public policy, legislation, ballot measures and political developments.
• Lead and contribute to special editorial campaigns, such as election endorsements, issue-driven series, and investigative opinion projects.
• Offer rapid analysis of local and state government decisions, with a particular focus on policy impact and governance efficacy.
• Tell the stories of residents of the Bay Area and how public policy decisions impact their lives. 
• Monitor local and state legislative developments, attend public meetings when necessary, and build relationships with sources in government, academia, and advocacy.
• Adapt editorial content to succeed with our digital audience.
• Analyze audience engagement metrics and adjust content strategy accordingly.
• Attend in-person editorial board meetings with state and local policymakers.

What You’ll Bring

• 5–7+ years of experience in opinion journalism, government reporting, and/or editorial writing.
• A strong understanding of how California and Bay Area government functions.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex policy issues and explain them clearly, accurately, and persuasively to a broad audience.
• Experience covering or interpreting public budgets, housing and criminal justice policy, environmental regulation, education reform, or transportation infrastructure is a plus.
• A digital-first mindset: ability to write for online platforms and ideas to grow readership.
• A desire and ability to take on enterprise projects, including Atlantic-style longform analysis.

Our Benefits: At Hearst Newspapers we not only support our employees through personal and professional development, but we also believe in promoting each individual’s physical, financial and emotional wellbeing (and that of their family).  Our industry-leading benefits include:

• Physical Wellbeing: Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage to keep you and your family healthy.
• Invest for the Future: Competitive retirement plan with matching program in most markets.
• Generous Paid Time Off: Recharge with ample time off, including holidays and vacation.
• Paid Parental Leave: Support for growing families, with paid leave for new parents.
• Monthly Child & Dependent Care Reimbursement: Financial support for the care of your loved ones.
• Emotional Wellbeing: Be your best self with our mental wellness benefits.
• LGBTQ+ & Inclusive Health Services: Inclusive healthcare designed for every individual’s unique needs.
• Fertility Coverage & Menopause Support: Helping you along every step of your family journey.
• Pet Wellness Reimbursement & Rover Credits: We care about your pets, too – helping you keep them happy and healthy.
• And more, click here for additional benefits and details.

In accordance with applicable law, Hearst is required to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role if hired in California. The reasonable estimate is between $90,000 to $105,000. A final decision on the successful candidate’s starting salary will be based on a number of permissible, non-discriminatory factors, including but not limited to skills and experience, training, certifications, and education.

About The San Francisco Chronicle & SFChronicle.com:

The San Francisco Chronicle is world-class journalism. With name-brand voices and a keen editorial eye, The Chronicle is an authority that still surprises. The Chronicle, one of the largest news organizations in the West, has been named California's best large newsroom for four of the past five years.

SFChronicle.com is home to the Bay Area's best journalism and has been recognized as the best large newspaper website in California. It is the Bay Area's authoritative online news source, focused on San Francisco but inclusive of all California and Western news that reflects the unique Bay Area experience.

Join our team of world-class journalists!

About Hearst Newspapers:

With 2,500 employees across the nation, HNP represents a network of 24 daily and 52 weekly publications, including the San Francisco Chronicle, Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Express-News and Albany Times Union, several top digital-only news and lifestyle sites, marketing services businesses, and entertainment businesses such as King Features Syndicate. At HNP, we are investing in new and innovative ways to tell stories–growing newsrooms, diversifying tools, evolving platforms–to support the millions of people who trust us each month to help them make decisions, take action and be inspired. 

Be a part of something bigger–Your Headline Awaits