Remote Staff Writer (Coronavirus Investigations) wanted | $55,000-$60,000 per year

 [This opportunity was posted 30+ days ago and has expired.] 

We are looking for a talented, versatile Staff Writer  to join our team and help us shine a light on the government response to  the coronavirus pandemic. We’re a non-partisan, non-profit watchdog  that uses targeted public records requests and litigation to expose  evidence of corruption, abuse of power, or conflicts of interest. We’ve  launched a wide-ranging investigation into the federal, state, and local  responses to the coronavirus pandemic, and we’ve filed more than 600  public records requests and seven lawsuits seeking answers. 

Our earlier work has exposed hundreds of pages of Ukraine  documents that were withheld from Congress, prompted the discovery of  Ivanka Trump’s extensive use of a private email system, and uncovered  widespread conflicts of interest across the cabinet. 

Part  digital journalism, part anti-corruption advocacy, and part  organizational communications, the Staff Writer will draw upon the  records we uncover, as well as the expertise of our team, to help  readers follow and understand the investigations into the coronavirus  response, the latest developments, and the outstanding questions. 

We are normally based in downtown Washington, DC, in an office  that is easily accessible by multiple metro and bus lines. Given the  current pandemic, our team is working remotely for the  foreseeable future. This position is open to candidates across the  United States and could continue as a telework role even after the main  office reopens. 

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Specific  tasks will shift day by day along with our work and the news cycle, but  in a typical week, your job will probably include:

• Writing posts for the website, including updates on  news related to the coronavirus pandemic and investigations into the  government response;
• Writing longer pieces synthesizing information obtained through  public records requests, open source research, and news reports  regarding the coronavirus pandemic and the ongoing push for  accountability;
• Working with the communications and research teams to maintain  online trackers of investigations into the pandemic and the government  response;
• Reviewing primary source documents as well as notes compiled by the  research and legal teams to pull out key points to feature in written  content; 
• Working with the Senior Editor to develop new ideas for written  content that makes our work more accessible to the  public; 
• Monitoring the news to identify opportunities for our current or previous work to inform the public on key issues;
• Participating in regular planning meetings (typically scheduled  during East Coast business hours) to help identify new opportunities to  share the information we’ve uncovered to help inform the public on key  issues;
• Engaging in rapid response to current events, developments, and document releases in AO’s FOIAs and litigation; 
• Occasionally (but definitely not most of the time) engaging after  business hours or on weekends to promote new developments in investigations or to respond to breaking news that relates  to our work.

QUALIFICATIONS

We don’t have a hard and fast  checklist of requirements for this position, but the following  attributes will likely describe the successful candidate:

• Excellent writing skills with a focus on accuracy and detail, and  the ability to rapidly synthesize complex legal and policy documents  into clear, compelling prose;
• At least 2 years previous experience in journalism, policy, or  related work writing for a general audience about government, politics,  public health, or similar issues;
• Strong news judgment and the ability to quickly assess information for relevance and newsworthiness; 
• Integrity and commitment to high journalistic standards of quality  and accuracy. It’s great to be first, and we like to get attention, but  it is always far more important to be correct, honest, and trustworthy;
• Experience fact-checking, or writing for a publication with a fact-checking process;
• Adept at drawing upon multiple sources of information to connect the  dots and help readers understand key points, trends, and patterns that  may not be immediately obvious;
• Can handle high-pressure, quick-deadline projects on high-profile, breaking news topics; 
• Fluency in public health issues related to the coronavirus pandemic  as well as a working familiarity with current politics and the way they  are discussed in mainstream media;
• Team player, comfortable working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment;
• Solid organizational skills with the ability to complete projects  and handle multiple tasks simultaneously, as well as the ability to keep  track of several and varying areas of  investigation.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

We are proudly an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building and  retaining a diverse team. People of color, women, persons with  disabilities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and/or veterans are encouraged to  apply.

The salary range for this position is $55,000 –  $60,000 annually, commensurate with experience. Generous and  comprehensive benefits package.

HOW TO APPLY

Please  send application materials, including a résumé, a one-page cover  letter, and copies of two clips of your writing with “Staff Writer – Coronavirus  Investigations” in the subject line. Please indicate in your email how  you heard about this opening.

Interested applicants are  encouraged to apply as soon as possible. We will be reviewing  applications on a rolling basis and will begin our first round of review  by July 10, 2020.

JOB SUMMARY:

• Looking for: Staff Writer
• Location: This position is open to candidates across the United  States and could  continue as a telework role even after the main office  reopens
• Compensation: $55,000–$60,000 annually, commensurate with experience

CONTACT INFORMATION:

 [This opportunity was posted 30+ days ago and has expired.]