Investigative Reporters & Editors, Inc. is hiring: Investigative Reporter in Chi

Join our small but mighty team, known for punching above its weight with data-driven investigative journalism about Chicago that informs crucial conversations about race and equity. This is a one-year, full-time position that is Chicago-based. The position is grant-funded with the possibility to be renewed.

At the Investigative Project on Race and Equity, we’re all about facts, not opinions. Our work exposes systemic racism by uncovering discriminatory practices and shining a light on abuses of power that drive racial and economic disparities. Through data and deep-dive investigations, we tell stories that inform people about social issues—and we build and analyze databases to bring systemic injustice into focus.

We’re seeking a Chicago-based reporter to pursue signature, award-winning in-depth investigative reporting on racial equity to be published in partnership with a national news organization. The Investigative Project on Race and Equity is also a training institute, which would allow reporters the opportunity to develop data skills, learn from a community of seasoned journalists and work on a collaborative team of mission-driven journalists.

The ideal candidate is a dogged reporter with great story ideas, the ability to produce revelatory and unique stories, and the ability to chase down public records, data and sources to reveal disparities within Chicago. They must have at least three years of full-time professional experience and a proven ability to land enterprise stories. Candidates must produce a 500-word (maximum) investigative project pitch for a year-long investigative project that is revelatory, impactful and has a strong racial equity angle.

Responsibilities include:
- Write investigative stories in collaboration with media partners
- Conduct research to uncover revelatory findings
- Obtain data and other public records
- Gather, corroborate and interpret data and documents
- Develop sources and interview a range of people
- Maintain notes with meticulous documentation of reporting tasks and time spent on project
- Fact-checking

Qualifications:
- Commitment to investigative and data journalism
- Between three and five years of professional reporting experience, including work on investigative, public-interest journalism.
- Strong writing skills
- Excellent communication and interviewing skills
- Knowledge of and comfort with math and dedication to learning new data skills.
- Ability to meet deadlines and fact-check information
- Ability to work cooperatively with a diverse group of peers and sources

The most successful candidates will possess the following:
- Ability to develop project ideas and juggle quick, mid-range and long-term investigations
- Highly organized and detail-oriented
- A strong commitment to the mission
- Personal and professional integrity

Details

Organization: Investigative Project on Race and Equity

Send a cover letter, resume and 5 clips (text file, not links) of investigative or enterprise work that you've written to info@raceandequityproject.org . Candidates must also provide a 500-word (maximum) investigative project pitch for a year-long investigative project that is revelatory, impactful and has a strong racial equity angle.

The cover letter, resume, 5 clips, and 500-word pitch should be attached to the email as a single PDF that is under 5MB.