Political Reporter

Job Description

Talking Points Memo, the respected pioneer of online political news, is expanding its reporting team.

TPM is looking to fill a position for a political reporter who will cover all aspects of the current political moment, with a particular focus on voting, election administration and political extremism, as well as broader issues that relate to the health of American democracy. 

The ideal candidate will be a reporter with newsroom experience who has a firm grasp on American history and, in particular, the forces and people that have shaped our politics over the last quarter decade. They will be a precise thinker with impeccable attention to detail and the ability to write quickly and concisely. They will be knowledgeable about American law and government, eager to uncover news wherever it might be, and comfortable establishing a rapport with sources from all backgrounds and all walks of life. They can see both the forest and the trees. Experience parsing and writing news based on legal documents will be a plus. 

The reporter in question must know how to frame their reporting so that it finds an audience, and get it in front of that audience. Demonstrated comfort across written word, audio, video and social media, and experience distributing their work through each channel, will be a plus.

This position is in New York City or Washington, D.C.

The salary for this position is $70,000–$90,000 annually. Benefits include health, dental and vision insurance, 401(k), three weeks paid vacation per year, and eligibility for additional time off, including a sabbatical.

This is a position covered under the Writers Guild of America East Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Interested candidates should send a resume and cover letter to jobs@talkingpointsmemo.com (include the subject line: “Job App: Political Reporter”). 

Candidates may be asked to take a writing test.

Founded during the 2000 Florida recount by Josh Marshall, TPM brings a scrappy, smart, and sophisticated approach to covering American politics. It has long had an outsized influence on national political coverage and public discourse. With a membership-based business model, TPM has enjoyed financial stability, resilience, and growth despite the turmoil in journalism and publishing.

Job Requirements

The ideal candidate will be a reporter with newsroom experience who has a firm grasp on American history and, in particular, the forces and people that have shaped our politics over the last quarter decade. They will be a precise thinker with impeccable attention to detail and the ability to write quickly and concisely. They will be knowledgeable about American law and government, eager to uncover news wherever it might be, and comfortable establishing a rapport with sources from all backgrounds and all walks of life. They can see both the forest and the trees. Experience parsing and writing news based on legal documents will be a plus. 

The reporter in question must know how to frame their reporting so that it finds an audience, and get it in front of that audience. Demonstrated comfort across written word, audio, video and social media, and experience distributing their work through each channel, will be a plus.

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