Data Journalism Editor, IRW

About this role

American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world. Learn more about American University

Department:

School of Communication

Time Type: Full time Job Type: Regular FLSA Status: Exempt Work Modality:

Full On Campus Presence Union:

Excluded

Job Description:

Summary:

The Investigative Reporting Workshop  seeks an outstanding data journalist to lead  our data   and artificial   intelligence   journalism efforts ,  mentor others , and  translate complex data into impactful investigative stories , while contributing creatively and strategically to the newsroom.   

The Data   Journalism   Editor handles daily and long-term data   assignments   for   various journalism projects within   IRW, a nonprofit newsroom based at the School of Communication ). The Data Editor works with   other editors   and interns   and graduate fellows   on data collection, data cleaning, data management, data analysis, and data visualization s .   

The Data   Journalism   Editor reports to the Executive Editor. This position works under general supervision and will interact with other staff, students, faculty, and consultants   at IRW . The Data   Journalism   Editor   ensure s   that   our   data-driven investigations are based on sound data management and analysis principles, and that data findings are   accurate   and based on accepted   best practices in journalism.  

Our ideal applicants have  a t least three to   five   years of experience in data journalism, including statistical analysis and reporting stories from data, and some experience in programming.   Familiarity with Artificial Intelligence, Large Language Models and their applications is preferred.   We want a journalist who cares about finding stories among those communities that are often underrepresented in the media , and one   who is passionate about  accurate  storytelling across platforms.    

Exceptional candidates with important skills that do not precisely match the above description are welcome to apply and tell us about   themselves .  

Essential Functions:

1.) Data Analysis and Reporting

• Develop and execute plans for   acquiring , analyzing, cleaning, and   presenting data used by the Investigative Reporting Workshop for potential stories.

• Pitch and   develop   story ideas for future projects.  

2.) Editing

• Check and re-check thousands of documents, reviewing the work of student journalists and graduate fellows who obtain data and documents through public-records requests , court records,   and online sources.  

• Draft or   assign drafts   of all   methodology   used in stories and projects for potential publication.  

3.) Training and Presentations

• Develop s   ideas for on-site workshops and events ,   and   participates   in   panels at national conferences, including, but not limited to, IRE and NICAR, the   Investigative Reporters and Editors and its spinoff, the National Institute for Computer Assisted Reporting, respectively.

• This position also   frequently   speaks to American University’s graduate boot-camp students and to the Dow Jones training workshops for business reporters held at American University.  

4.) Other Duties as Assigned   

• Maintain frequent contact with smaller nonprofit newsrooms working with IRW on data-heavy projects.  

• Other assignments as needed.  

  Supervisory Responsibility:

• This position supervises one to three part-time student   reporters   and   graduate   fellows.  

Competencies:

• Acquiring and Analyzing Information. ​

• Prioritizing and   Organizing. ​

• Collaborative Leadership. ​

• Supporting Coworkers ​.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

• Full-time.

• 35 hours per week.

• In-person position and eligible for Hybrid 1 schedule.

• Position is located at the Investigative Reporting Workshop at   American University School of Communication ( SOC )   in Washington, D.C.   

• Continuation of the program/position is contingent upon external funding.

Salary Range:

• $70,000.00 - $80,000.00 annually.

Required Education  and Experience:

• ​ ​ Bachelor's degree or equivalent ​. ​

• 3 - 5 years of relevant experience ​.

Preferred Education  and Experience:

• ​ ​ Master's degree or equivalent ​.

Travel Required:  

• Occasional travel m ay   be   required .  

Additional Eligibility Qualifications: • Candidates are encouraged to submit a cover letter and resume with their application.

• Employees in the School of Communication are required to work on campus in a full presence modality for the first month of their employment.

• Proficiency   in the following are preferred and would be an asset to this work:  1.) Statistics and statistical analysis tools, including   RESTful Service Query Language ( RSQL ) , Excel, Python, 2.) Expertise   in   Freedom of Information Act (FOIA ) ,   Public Access to Court Electronic Records ( PACER ) , and other public-records resources, 3.) Server management,    4.) Database management, especially Postgres  5.) Web development, especially news applications and data visualization tools.

Other Duties:

• Please   note that   this job description is not designed to cover or   contain   a comprehensive   listing   of activities, duties or responsibilities that are   required of   the employee for this job. Duties,   responsibilities   and activities may change at any time with or without notice.  

Benefits AU offers a competitive benefits package.  Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit options .

Other Details • Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.

• Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the universit

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