The Philadelphia Inquirer: Seeks Investigative Reporter

With Who:  The Philadelphia Inquirer

Location:  Philadelphia, PA

Type of Employment:  Full-Time

Position Description:  We are seeking an experienced reporter who has produced original, revelatory, in-depth or investigative stories that hold institutions and the powerful to account, whether through projects, quick-turnaround investigations, or both.

What You’ll Do:  

  • Write and report, clear, fast, well-organized investigative work

  • Always report fairly, accurately and thoroughly

  • Ensure reporting offers a window on the communities we serve, that reflect their spirit, their personalities, their diversity

  • Dig for and gather news and information? synthesize it in strong prose

  • Be a persistent user of FOIA and public-records requests, someone who can cultivate records officers as you would a source

  • Make use of visual elements to augment storytelling

  • Build subject matter expertise and audience around a topic and cultivate sources

  • Aggregate topical news from other sources and add value

  • Use social media both as a reporting tool and as a venue for promoting work

Who We’re Looking For

  • A minimum of five years of reporting experience, including significant works of investigative reporting

  • Superior writing skills, including the ability to structure lengthy stories.

  • Persistent requester of public records who understands both federal FOIA and state public-records rules.

  • Skilled interviewer who gets subjects to talk on the record.

  • Ability to be an efficient and productive reporter who can maintain interest and momentum for the weeks and months it may take to complete an ambitious story or project.

  • Curiosity and a passion for investigating business, sports, entertainment and subjects beyond the bread-and-butter of cops, courts and city hall.

  • Ability to quickly background an individual or company using online criminal and civil court dockets, as well as campaign finance, business, and regulatory databases.

  • Ability to keep more than one project or project concept going at a time to avoid lags between major efforts while waiting for responsive public records or while working on shorter watchdog stories.

  • Because you may often partner with journalists across the newsroom, the ability to work well with others is crucial.

Other Things to Know

  • Competitive salary and benefits package including 401k and more.

  • Please upload an updated resume, links to or copies of five examples of your best work, and a letter to investigations editor James Neff about the kind of stories you are particularly passionate about and would like to pursue here.

Notes

  • *We know not everyone reading this will fit exactly what we’ve described. We encourage everyone to apply who shares our passion for indispensable journalism and our drive to create a sustainable business model to support it. As an equal opportunity employer, The Inquirer is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture, and we especially encourage members of underrepresented communities to submit an application, including women, people of color, LGBTQ people, and people with special needs*

  • We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Apply (or request more information):  Apply today on the CofC Alumni Career Center site!

About Megan Gould

Ms. Gould is the Coordinator for Events, Outreach, and Public Relations for the Department of Communication at the College of Charleston.

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