Investigative reporter job description
Updated March 14, 2024
6 min read
Find better candidates in less time
Post a job on Zippia and take the best from over 7 million monthly job seekers.
Example investigative reporter requirements on a job description
Investigative reporter requirements can be divided into technical requirements and required soft skills. The lists below show the most common requirements included in investigative reporter job postings.
Sample investigative reporter requirements
- Strong research and investigation skills
- Proficient in data analysis and interpretation
- Excellent writing and communication skills
- Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
- Knowledge of journalistic ethics and principles
Sample required investigative reporter soft skills
- Curiosity and passion for uncovering hidden information
- Flexibility and adaptability to changing situations
- Attention to detail and accuracy
- Ability to build and maintain relationships with sources
- Strong critical thinking and problem-solving abilities
Investigative reporter job description example 1
The Washington Post investigative reporter job description
Application Instructions
Please list all professional experience and explain any gaps in employment history. All of your application materials, which may include PDF files of work samples and/or links to audio, video, photography or graphics, must be uploaded to the field labeled Resume/Cover Letter/Work Samples to be considered for the position.
Job Description
The Washington Post is seeking a reporter to join its growing investigative and accountability team in Sports.
We are searching for someone with relentless curiosity about the forces that shape the sports world and a commitment to holding powerful individuals and institutions accountable.
This journalist should have a track record of landing scoops and breaking stories, and the ability to craft enterprise and narrative journalism that is both revealing and engrossing. The ideal candidate should have demonstrated the ability to cultivate sources and obtain documents, including through state and federal open records laws.
Using the latest reporting techniques and technology, this journalist should be able to process financial, legal and technical documents, synthesize complex reporting and write in a clear, engaging way. The ideal candidate will be able to juggle long-term investigations with quick-turn news stories and pivot quickly toward developments that warrant deeper exploration.
This position requires a strong work ethic and sense of urgency, and the ability to work independently and to collaborate with others. A deep knowledge of sports institutions and hierarchies, while beneficial, is not a requirement.
Those interested should upload a cover letter, resume and three examples of outstanding coverage (as PDFs) to our jobs portal. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled, but those received by 10/14/22 will be prioritized. All application materials can be uploaded to the same field. The cover letter should be addressed to Sports Editor Matt Vita, Deputy Sports Editor Matt Rennie, Sports Investigations Editor Joe Tone, and Managing Editors Steven Ginsberg and Krissah Thompson.
The Post strives to provide its readers with high-quality, trustworthy news and information while constantly innovating. That mission is best served by a diverse, multi-generational workforce with varied life experiences and perspectives. All cultures and backgrounds are welcomed.
Ever wondered if what you are doing will Impact Tomorrow? At The Washington Post, every employee shapes the way we deliver the news. Find the career that's right for you
#washpostlife
Please list all professional experience and explain any gaps in employment history. All of your application materials, which may include PDF files of work samples and/or links to audio, video, photography or graphics, must be uploaded to the field labeled Resume/Cover Letter/Work Samples to be considered for the position.
Job Description
The Washington Post is seeking a reporter to join its growing investigative and accountability team in Sports.
We are searching for someone with relentless curiosity about the forces that shape the sports world and a commitment to holding powerful individuals and institutions accountable.
This journalist should have a track record of landing scoops and breaking stories, and the ability to craft enterprise and narrative journalism that is both revealing and engrossing. The ideal candidate should have demonstrated the ability to cultivate sources and obtain documents, including through state and federal open records laws.
Using the latest reporting techniques and technology, this journalist should be able to process financial, legal and technical documents, synthesize complex reporting and write in a clear, engaging way. The ideal candidate will be able to juggle long-term investigations with quick-turn news stories and pivot quickly toward developments that warrant deeper exploration.
This position requires a strong work ethic and sense of urgency, and the ability to work independently and to collaborate with others. A deep knowledge of sports institutions and hierarchies, while beneficial, is not a requirement.
Those interested should upload a cover letter, resume and three examples of outstanding coverage (as PDFs) to our jobs portal. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled, but those received by 10/14/22 will be prioritized. All application materials can be uploaded to the same field. The cover letter should be addressed to Sports Editor Matt Vita, Deputy Sports Editor Matt Rennie, Sports Investigations Editor Joe Tone, and Managing Editors Steven Ginsberg and Krissah Thompson.
The Post strives to provide its readers with high-quality, trustworthy news and information while constantly innovating. That mission is best served by a diverse, multi-generational workforce with varied life experiences and perspectives. All cultures and backgrounds are welcomed.
Ever wondered if what you are doing will Impact Tomorrow? At The Washington Post, every employee shapes the way we deliver the news. Find the career that's right for you
#washpostlife
Post a job for free, promote it for a fee
Investigative reporter job description example 2
Advance Local investigative reporter job description
We seek someone with an ability to uncover and explore the most significant stories across the Mobile metro and neighboring Baldwin County. These are the stories that surprise local audiences by telling them something that changes the way they see the place they call home. The measure of success will be a steady flow of stories that change laws, lives and minds, as well as examine inequities, hold local leaders accountable and compete for national awards. Since 2018, AL.com journalists have won two Pulitzer Prize awards and earned a finalist spot for a Pulitzer, as well as earning honors from IRE, Goldsmith and ONA.
We are a digitally focused company, the largest media outlet in Alabama, now creating content across a host of platforms and products, including our local digital daily news product The Lede. We are seeking a reporter to tell stories online on our main statewide news site, AL.com, a site with a loyal and large following that extends well beyond Alabama, as well as in The Lede, a growing daily product with subscribers in each metro.
To be a good fit for this opportunity, you will need to have:
-
- Ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple projects
-
- Ability to work collaboratively
-
- Desire to do important work, to find untold stories
-
- Facility analyzing data and procuring public records is a plus
-
- Experience working with video and social media is highly desirable
-
We are committed to telling stories from perspectives that have been historically ignored by mainstream media outlets.
Mobile, with its historic skyline right on the Gulf and festive downtown, is home to Airbus, powerful energy interests and one of the Southeast’s most important ports. Mobile is also a city dating back centuries, filled with character and quirks that contribute to fascinating local news opportunities.
If you are interested in applying for this role, please include your cover letter, resume and links to your work.
recblid av2gu4abffpvt8txgy3l8spdmo1zq3
Dealing with hard-to-fill positions? Let us help.
Investigative reporter job description example 3
Nexstar Media Group investigative reporter job description
KTXL-TV/FOX40, the Nexstar station in Sacramento, is seeking an experienced Investigative Reporter.
Candidates must have a minimum of five years TV reporting experience, including at least two years of investigative reporting. This is not an entry-level position. A bachelor's degree in journalism or related field preferred.
The Investigative Reporter will pitch, research, write and produce original, in-depth, high quality and high-impact stories in collaboration with Photographers, Editors, Producers and Managers.
Applicants should have extensive knowledge of the research tools and storytelling techniques used in contemporary investigative journalism for broadcast and digital platforms. They should know the basics of data analysis, public information requests and backgrounding .
Responsibilities:
+ Generate short and long-term investigations and continued follow-ups that are fair, accurate and engaging
+ Present those stories on live television in an energetic, conversational and creative style
+ Develop sources to generate story ideas and respond to viewer-submitted leads
+ Create specific beats, break investigative angles when a major news story arises, and investigate tips that uncover a problem, hold those responsible accountable and press for solutions
+ Post and promote content online and on social media
+ Use public records and databases to research and analyze facts, statistics and trends
Requirements and Skills:
+ At least five years of experience as a reporter, with a minimum of two years in an investigative role
+ Four-year college degree in journalism or related communications field preferred
+ Proficiency with Internet and database searches; familiarity with videography, editing and graphics
+ Strong broadcast writing skills and command of language skills. Ability to write news content both for broadcast and digital platforms
+ Demonstrated news judgement and ethical decision-making, organizational skills, along with an ability to work well with others in a high-pressure, team-based environment
+ Flexibility to work as needed within station hours of operation, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays
+ Ability to assist in transporting equipment such as cameras and tripods (possibly up to thirty pounds)
+ Professional appearance, demeanor and behavior
Candidates must have a minimum of five years TV reporting experience, including at least two years of investigative reporting. This is not an entry-level position. A bachelor's degree in journalism or related field preferred.
The Investigative Reporter will pitch, research, write and produce original, in-depth, high quality and high-impact stories in collaboration with Photographers, Editors, Producers and Managers.
Applicants should have extensive knowledge of the research tools and storytelling techniques used in contemporary investigative journalism for broadcast and digital platforms. They should know the basics of data analysis, public information requests and backgrounding .
Responsibilities:
+ Generate short and long-term investigations and continued follow-ups that are fair, accurate and engaging
+ Present those stories on live television in an energetic, conversational and creative style
+ Develop sources to generate story ideas and respond to viewer-submitted leads
+ Create specific beats, break investigative angles when a major news story arises, and investigate tips that uncover a problem, hold those responsible accountable and press for solutions
+ Post and promote content online and on social media
+ Use public records and databases to research and analyze facts, statistics and trends
Requirements and Skills:
+ At least five years of experience as a reporter, with a minimum of two years in an investigative role
+ Four-year college degree in journalism or related communications field preferred
+ Proficiency with Internet and database searches; familiarity with videography, editing and graphics
+ Strong broadcast writing skills and command of language skills. Ability to write news content both for broadcast and digital platforms
+ Demonstrated news judgement and ethical decision-making, organizational skills, along with an ability to work well with others in a high-pressure, team-based environment
+ Flexibility to work as needed within station hours of operation, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays
+ Ability to assist in transporting equipment such as cameras and tripods (possibly up to thirty pounds)
+ Professional appearance, demeanor and behavior
Start connecting with qualified job seekers
Resources for employers posting investigative reporter jobs
Average cost of hiring
Recruitment statistics
How to write a job description
Examples of work conditions
Investigative reporter job description FAQs
Ready to start hiring?
Updated March 14, 2024
Updated March 14, 2024