Do you have the grit of an old school journalist and the talents of a 21st Century storyteller? Are you hungry for a beat ripe with watchdog stories? Then let’s talk about The Arizona Republic’s opening for Glendale, Ariz. city hall watchdog reporter. The Phoenix suburb (pop: 227,000) distinguished itself during the economic boom as home to NFL football, NHL hockey and MLB spring training. Glendale will host its second Super Bowl in 2015.

But creating a sports and entertainment mecca came with risks.

Glendale is a city in upheaval; coming to grips with a vision for itself pummeled by the recession.

Financial problems? Check. Outraged citizens? Check. Search for a new city manager? Check. Elections to replace the mayor and City Council? Check. Ongoing Phoenix Coyotes ownership woes? Check, check.

Tack on fascinating stories such as the city’s battle with an American Indian tribe to stop a proposed casino and you have incredible opportunities to serve readers.

The position at the state’s largest newspaper demands shoe-leather reporting with expertise in public records and database reporting and a passion for social media and innovation.

Republic Media reporters tell stories on multiple platforms, including The Arizona Republic, The Glendale Republic, azcentral.com and in partnership with 12 News, the local NBC affiliate. The beat lends itself to frequent page one and metro stories, as well as radio and TV opportunities.

Candidates should have demonstrated beat management skills and proven initiative in watchdog journalism. They should perform well on deadline and work well in a team environment.

Send a resume, an explanation of how you would approach the beat and links to six recent clips to West Valley Editor Carrie Watters at carrie.watters@arizonarepublic.com.