Stimulus Watch Reporter

Company: Advance Local : Cleveland.com
Location: Cleveland
Posted on: January 16, 2022

Job Description:

Cleveland is receiving a windfall of $511 million from the American Rescue Plan -- the eighth biggest load of money to cities in the most recent federal stimulus. Cleveland.com is searching for a government watchdog who will literally follow the money.

Our Stimulus Watch position is a major public service to keep track of how local governments -- including cities, counties and schools -- spend millions of stimulus dollars. The goal is to keep elected officials honest, so they spend the money wisely, rather than squandering it.

Take suburban Mayfield Heights. Their council was considering using stimulus funds to give all its employees raises -- at least until we wrote about the plan.

This money has the potential to transform cities and suburbs, to eliminate the scourge of lead paint endangering Cleveland children or wire the city for high-speed, low-cost broadband. Our Stimulus Watch reporter will work with impact editor Leila Atassi to track the companies chosen for government contracts and sniff out potential relationships between contractors and the politicians signing off on the deals. You'll have lots of autonomy to find the big story and craft a system to show trends.

Cleveland.com is a collegial newsroom of nearly 70 journalists that covers seven counties in Northeast Ohio, but with a statewide reach. Our focus is on Cuyahoga County, specifically Cleveland, one of the poorest big cities in America. Our work is published daily in the Plain Dealer newspaper, as well. And while we're still working remotely, we look forward to reconvening in our newsroom when it's safe.

Candidates should know how to write news stories and be familiar with Associated Press style. They should have several years experience in journalism or a relevant field.


Every candidate should have a proven track record of identifying, reporting, and writing top-notch investigative pieces that promote social engagement. However, the ideal candidate puts forth story ideas; enjoys engaging with readers; and published video pieces from a mobile phone.

The Reporter is critical to our organizational success and is charged with covering news for the state's largest news website. This is a fast-paced beat in a dynamic, engaged community.

We are paving the way for the future of digital news, yet we remain grounded in the ethics of solid journalism.
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Keywords: Advance Local : Cleveland.com, Cleveland , Stimulus Watch Reporter, Advertising , Cleveland, Ohio