Computational Journalist

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Introduction

ProPublica, a non-profit newsroom dedicated to investigative journalism, is on the lookout for a Computational Journalist. The role is fundamental for uncovering abuses of power and betrayals of public trust. This position allows the selected candidate to leverage both technology and data to unveil stories that would otherwise remain untold.

Responsibilities

As a Computational Journalist at ProPublica, you will be part of a dedicated data team and collaborate with reporters and journalists throughout the organization. Here are the main responsibilities:

• Find or build data crucial for investigative stories focusing on accountability.
• Conduct analyses designed to reveal bias, influence, and other societal harms.
• Write engaging methodologies to explain your work, ensuring reproducibility for future reference.
• Drive high-impact investigative projects, leveraging coding and data analysis alongside interviews and traditional reporting methods.
• Ensure the data underpinning investigations is clean, bulletproof, and thoroughly spot-checked.
• Scrape websites and manipulate data, particularly when dealing with unstructured or messy data sets.
• Interact with poor-quality APIs to extract necessary data.

Required Skills

ProPublica is seeking candidates with a breadth of experience and skills. Here’s a detailed overview of the essential qualifications:

• A minimum of four years of experience working on data projects, especially in a newsroom context that emphasizes accountability.
• An ability to tackle contemporary issues through urgent investigations that may span weeks, alongside longer-term projects requiring meticulous data work.
• Proficiency in building data pipelines and executing rigorous data analysis.
• Familiarity with data analysis tools is crucial, including database management systems and statistical software such as R, Google BigQuery, Python/pandas, and Jupyter Notebooks.
• Best practices in data journalism, including strong attention to detail, documentation habits, and reproducibility understanding.
• Experience with AI and machine learning technologies, including generative AI and large language models.
• Established connections with public data sources across various news sectors and practice in acquiring data through public records requests.
• Highly organized, proactive, self-disciplined, and capable of handling multiple projects simultaneously.
• An aptitude for translating complex subjects into clear, engaging content for the audience.
• Willingness to travel when necessary for team summits, training, and assignments.

Salary and Hiring Process

ProPublica offers a full-time position with benefits. The expected salary range for the Computational Journalist role is between $120,000 to $140,000. This figure is a good-faith estimate and will vary based on the candidate's experience, accomplishments, and location. In alignment with its commitment to equity, ProPublica emphasizes that salary ranges should not be viewed as fixed limits or caps. Interested candidates can expect an ongoing review of applications as they are received, remaining active until the position is filled.

Working Environment

The position is remote-friendly, with candidates able to work from anywhere within the U.S. For prospective employees who prefer an office setting, ProPublica’s headquarters are located in New York City, with additional offices in various locations, including Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Chicago, Phoenix, and Berkeley, California. This flexibility represents ProPublica's commitment to fostering a supportive environment conducive to productivity and collaboration.

Conclusion

For job seekers aiming to join a forward-thinking journalism organization, this role presents an opportunity to make a tangible impact. By combining technology, data, and journalistic integrity, the Computational Journalist will be instrumental in surfacing critical stories that can drive public accountability and reform. ProPublica invites dedicated and talented individuals to apply for this vital position and contribute to its mission of excellence in journalism.

This job offer was originally published on remoteOK.com