The Jersey Vindicator is hiring a full-time investigative reporter

New Jersey needs more investigative reporting. 

If you’re passionate about how much of an understatement that is and want to be part of the solution, we’d love to talk.

The Jersey Vindicator, a statewide nonprofit news organization launched with the goal of holding state and local governments and other powerful interests in the state accountable with aggressive public records- and data-driven reporting, is hiring a full-time investigative reporter.

Founded in the fall of 2023 as an independent, nonpartisan newsroom, the Jersey Vindicator is dedicated to high-quality investigative and public-service journalism about New Jersey that holds local and state governments and other powerful interests accountable and confronts urgent statewide issues, including threats to democracy, political spending, education, economic development, health, housing, property taxes, the environment, and criminal justice.

The person in this role will have the opportunity to pursue mid- to long-term investigative reporting projects while working with the rest of the Vindicator staff to update readers with quicker-turn stories about ongoing issues related to accountability and transparency.

Ideal candidates will have experience reporting on the dynamics between local, regional, and state governments, planning and development issues, and/or the challenges of public school districts. Experience reporting on New Jersey’s unique challenges in these areas is a plus. 

While investigative reporting experience, including strong use of public records reporting and data journalism, is preferred, applicants who’ve never had the formal title of “investigative reporter” are encouraged to apply. We also welcome and encourage applicants with non-traditional career paths. If you don’t exactly meet the qualifications outlined here, please apply and tell us how your own experiences would equip you for the job. 

This is a mostly remote work position with occasional meetings at the New Jersey State House and other Trenton area meetings, but applicants should live in New Jersey, or be willing to move to the state. The Jersey Vindicator offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid vacation, holidays and personal days, parental leave, 75% of employee health insurance premiums, and a 401(k) retirement plan with an employer match.

Advanced data journalism skills and experience, a passion for public records, a strong commitment to collaborative journalism with colleagues and partner news organizations, and fluency in other languages a plus.

We prioritize solutions-oriented journalism and reporting with and in service to the communities affected by the issues we cover.

Responsibilities:

• Develop pitches and complete assignments for mid- and long-term investigative reporting projects.
• Write quick-turn updates on accountability and transparency issues of statewide interest. 
• Work with other reporters and outside local, state and/or national news organizations on collaborative reporting projects.
• Develop a diverse range of trusted sources that will help The Jersey Vindicator hold powerful interests accountable.
• Aggressively pursue public records that both support our investigative reporting and broadly protect and expand the public’s access to information about the operation of local, regional, and state government agencies. 
• Acquire, clean, and help analyze data that informs or drives our reporting.
• Work with editors and partners to engage the communities closest to the problems and potential solutions we’re tackling and find the widest and most relevant possible audiences for our work.
• Work with colleagues to set specific goals around the impact of our reporting and how to measure and follow up on it. 
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Experience in accountability reporting, ideally in local news.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, juggling multiple projects and deadlines.
• Exceptional organizational skills and a proven ability to work collegially with others.
• Ability to outline and manage complex, long-term reporting projects.
• Rigorous attention to detail and accuracy, while welcoming and helping facilitate strong oversight and fact-checking of your work.
• A strong openness and desire to collaborate with others, including outside of the organization, to advance our reporting and the public’s understanding of important issues.
• An appreciation for civic engagement and deep respect for the residents we serve and those residents who participate in our county chroniclers program.
• Bonus: Skill and experience in data analysis and data reporting.
• Bonus: Fluency in language(s) in addition to English.

Salary: $65,000-$80,000

To apply: All applications should include a cover letter, resume, and examples of journalism that show your ability to do investigative work. Send them to work@jerseyvindicator.org.

The Jersey Vindicator is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing an inclusive work environment and the opportunity of employment, advancement, and leadership roles regardless of race, national origin or ancestry, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion and/or military or veteran status.