Remote Senior Writer wanted | $65,000-$75,000 per year (plus generous and comprehensive benefits package)

COMPANY/PUBLICATION: AMERICAN OVERSIGHT 

American Oversight is looking for a talented, versatile Senior Writer  to join our team and help us shine a light on government misconduct.  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. 

American  Oversight’s work exposed hundreds of pages of Ukraine documents that  were withheld from Congress, we prompted the discovery of Ivanka Trump’s  extensive use of a private email system, and we’ve investigated and  uncovered widespread conflicts of interest across the cabinet. Through  our State Accountability Project, we’re investigating voter suppression  in multiple states. 

Part digital journalism, part  anti-corruption advocacy, and part organizational communications, the  Senior Writer will draw upon the records we uncover, as well as the  expertise of our team, to tell important stories that help readers  understand critical accountability issues facing our country. 

American  Oversight is normally based in downtown Washington, DC, in an office  that is easily accessible by multiple metro and bus lines. Given the  current pandemic, American Oversight’s 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  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 news posts for American Oversight’s website, including  analyses of government documents we’ve uncovered, updates on ongoing  inquiries, and announcements of new lawsuits or investigations;
• Writing longer-form pieces synthesizing information obtained through  public records requests, open source research, and news reports to tell  important stories about government misconduct or corruption;
• Working with the investigations team to create online research  guides highlighting key information we’ve uncovered and making it  accessible for journalists and other researchers;
• 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; 
• Drafting email updates to American Oversight’s newsletter subscribers;
• Working with the Senior Editor to develop new ideas for written  content that makes American Oversight’s 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 American  Oversight’s 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;
• 2–5 years previous experience in journalism, policy, or related work  writing for a general audience about government, politics, public  policy, 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 federal policy, current politics, and the way they are  discussed in mainstream media, as well as the ability to quickly learn  new topics as they arise;
• 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 American Oversight’s several and varying areas of  investigation.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

American Oversight is  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 $65,000 –  $75,000, commensurate with experience. Generous and comprehensive  benefits package.

Also, we are biased, but we think  American Oversight is a great place to work! Take a look at the  testimonials from members of our wonderful team.

HOW TO APPLY

Please  send application materials, including a résumé, a one-page cover  letter, and copies of two clips of your writing to  jobs@americanoversight.org with “Senior Writer” 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. 

JOB SUMMARY:

• Looking for: Senior Writer
• Location: This position is open to candidates across the United  States and could continue as a telework role even after the office  reopens
• Compensation:  $65,000–$75,000 commensurate with experience

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Questions / applications:  jobs@americanoversight.org

Website: https://www.americanoversight.org