Temporary Newsletter Writer

Job Description

ProPublica is looking for an experienced reporter to write newsletters on a temporary basis from mid-November through early May. The person in this role will write for our Big Story and Dispatches newsletters, taking readers inside our process, going deep on findings and exploring the larger themes of our work. The newsletter writer will work closely with reporters and editors across the newsroom on both short-format sections and written-through standalone pieces that bring dimension and life to our journalism. 

This position is filling in for a staffer on parental leave. It will report to the newsletter editor and join an award-winning 12-person audience team that works on creating and sharing multiplatform accountability journalism. 

What You’ll Do Here 

• Identify opportunities for presenting investigative projects in email form. This will include writing templated sections like intros and deep dives as well as experimenting with new forms. 
• Collaborate with the audience and product teams on building longitudinal relationships with readers. 
• Work with members of the newsroom to create Dispatches, a weekly newsletter that highlights our journalism. 
• Produce newsletters using our email service provider, Sailthru. 

We’re Looking for Someone With:

• 3-5 years experience writing and producing newsletters. You should be able to write clear, compelling copy on deadline and know your way around an ESP (we use Sailthru). 
• Reporting skills. You should be comfortable conducting interviews with both members of our newsroom and other sources, verifying information and picking up the phone when necessary. Familiarity with newsrooms and investigative work is a plus.   
• A dedication to finding and engaging with new audiences. You should bring creative approaches for connecting with the communities we cover.  
• Enthusiasm for experimenting with new forms combined with a practice of measuring success. 
• The ability to work on several projects at once. You’ll need to stay organized and focused.
• The self-discipline to work independently, as well as an eagerness to work with teammates on collaborative projects.

What We’re Looking for in Applicants

We want to see your work and learn how you think about it. The application form will allow you to send us three projects from your portfolio; these can be individual emails, a newsletter series or similar work that demonstrates your ability to capture a reader’s attention and clearly present information. 

The application also includes the space to walk us through your contributions to those projects. Take advantage of this to tell us about your process, from behind-the-scenes wins you’re proud of to any challenges you responded to along the way. What made you pursue it? How did you evaluate it when it was finished? 

This job is a temporary full-time position and includes benefits. ProPublica is based in New York, but we’re open to remote candidates within the U.S. Applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S. The position will start Nov. 18, 2024, and end May 2, 2025.

This role is an exempt position, with a monthly salary of $7,300. 

This is a good-faith estimate of what we expect to pay for this position. The final salary figure will take into account a person’s experience, accomplishment and location. ProPublica is committed to paying its staff equitably, and these ranges should not be considered career salary limits or caps.

The deadline to apply is Oct. 21, 2024, and we will begin reviewing applications as we receive them.

Questions? Send an email to talent@propublica.org. 

No phone calls, please.

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