Reporter (Georgia - based)

  • Full-time

Company Description

Grist is a nonprofit, independent media organization dedicated to telling stories of climate solutions and a just future. Our goal is to use the power of storytelling to illuminate the way toward a better world, inspire millions of people to walk that path with us, and show that the time for action is now. 

Our mission is to make the story of a better future so irresistible you want it right now. Over the past four years, Grist has scaled from a Seattle based team of 20-25 to a nationally distributed organization of ~60 with a growing budget. Grist’s strategy centers on climate, justice, and solutions and we implement our mission through three areas of work: Our award-winning Editorial Program; Fix, our newly launched Solutions Lab; and, our work to transform talent and representation within environmental storytelling. 

Job Description

Grist seeks a Reporter based in Georgia to cover climate impacts, environmental health, and solutions to the climate crisis primarily for a local and regional audience.

We are looking for someone with a strong grasp of environmental and climate issues affecting the state, from new rules over the disposal of coal ash to water wars with neighboring states, the promise and pitfalls of the over-budget expansion of the Vogtle nuclear power plant to the future potential of solar energy in Georgia. The ideal candidate is comfortable both chronicling state-level events that can affect most Georgians and telling community-level stories about people reckoning with a changing climate, adapting to a new set of conditions, or fighting to keep their community safe from pollution or peril.

For this position, Grist has partnered with WABE, 90.1 FM, an Atlanta-based NPR-affiliate public radio station that is part of Public Broadcasting Atlanta. The Reporter will have an opportunity to work closely with the station’s award-winning Senior Environment Reporter. While this position will be a Grist employee -- with access to its benefits, staff, and resources -- they will work within the WABE newsroom, filing everything from daily news stories to features and other enterprise reporting. Radio experience is a plus, but not a requirement.

This role is a year-long position piloting a partnership between Grist and WABE, and is made possible by grants from One Earth Fund and the Ray C. Anderson Foundation.

Responsibilities:

  • Writing quickly and accurately on deadline for radio, digital, and social about complex environmental issues for daily newscasts (when appropriate) and other platforms

  • Propose, conceive, and execute digital and radio feature stories

  • Pitch, report, and write at least one multi-month investigation or enterprise story

  • Work with partner organizations on creating or adapting content to run in local newspapers and on Grist.org

  • Work with WABE team for on-air pledge drives as directed

  • Other duties as assigned by either the WABE or Grist newsrooms

Qualifications

Key Competencies and Role Requirements:

  • Journalism or Communications Bachelor’s degree preferred or equivalent work experience

  • At least two years of experience working in digital or broadcast journalism

  • Impeccable news judgment and ethics

  • Excellent writing and editing skills

  • Strong organizational skills and ability to juggle multiple tasks and deadlines

  • Ability to work collaboratively with a creative team to solve problems and achieve common goals

  • Experience with video and audio production tools, photography, social media is a plus

  • Digital reporting/writing experience preferred; portfolio submission and/or writing assignment is highly likely as part of the interview process

Additional Information

Application Process:

APPLICATION DEADLINE:  In order to be considered for this role, applicants must apply on or before Monday, September 13, 2021.  

Applicants must submit a resume and cover letter why you’re a great fit for this role. Applications without both a resume and statement will not be considered. 

Total compensation package includes a competitive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision insurance. No phone calls, please.

Cultivating an inclusive staff is central to Grist’s focus on advancing equity. We’re interested in hearing from people who can work with diverse colleagues of varied experience. Candidates of all backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. Grist is an equal-opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.