The Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism is hiring: Data Reporter in Baltim

Overview

Join to apply for the Data Reporter role at The Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism.

The Baltimore Banner is a Pulitzer award-winning, nonprofit newsroom dedicated to high-quality local journalism in the Baltimore metro area, Montgomery County, and surrounding communities. We are building a vibrant, trustworthy, and sustainable news organization that reimagines the future of local news through a multi-platform operation covering local government, culture, the arts, and more. All work is grounded in truth and aims to inform and connect the community.

What You’ll Do

• Pitch and report data-driven stories that are relentlessly interesting and hold officials and institutions to account
• Collaborate with newsroom reporters and other data journalists to elevate coverage with data reporting and data visualizations
• Become an expert on the databases you analyze and use that expertise for breaking and enterprise news
• Acquire data through multiple means, including public records requests, scraping, and independent assembly
• Check your work and a colleague’s work to ensure robust, accurate analysis
• Spot trends and use data to write about topics that matter most to readers
• Conduct quick data analysis for breaking news stories

What You Bring

• A proven track record of reporting data-driven stories that reveal meaningful insights and hold officials and institutions accountable through rigorous work
• Ability to analyze large data sets, including geospatial data, using programming languages like Python and R
• Ability to do traditional reporting and write stories, plus create supporting data visualizations using tools such as Datawrapper and ai2html
• Detail-oriented, inquisitive, with a commitment to learning and development
• Collaborative, especially with non-technical partners
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to give and receive constructive feedback
• Commitment to journalistic values and ethics
• Willingness to work some nights and weekends or later hours when news breaks
• A sense of urgency and ability to act quickly on breaking news

Salary

$80,000 - $90,000. Individual pay varies based on experience, internal pay equity, and other considerations.

Additional Information

• Clips of your work: Please submit clips relative to this role.
• Schedule: Hybrid work schedule; may require evening work. Some flexibility may be needed based on news demands.
• Location: Based in Baltimore, MD.

Benefits

• Flexible Paid Time Off
• 401K retirement plan with company match
• Student loan debt repayment assistance for qualified employees
• Full health benefits (medical, dental, vision, prescription), with coverage for dependents
• Sick leave with rollover eligibility
• Commuter benefits
• 11 paid national holidays
• Employee Assistance Program
• Generous parental leave
• Wellness platform access for mental, financial, and physical well-being

Application Submission

Please include a cover letter and résumé. In your cover letter, highlight three different types of stories or data projects you have worked on, with a brief description of your role.

Our Core Values

• Do what's right: honesty, morality, respect, and mission guide our actions
• Work together: collaboration, risk-taking, and transparent communication
• Listen to be heard: stories are trustworthy and centered on readers and communities
• Deliver impactful results: act fast, execute, and learn as one accountable team
• Be inclusive: value diverse perspectives to fulfill our mission

The Venetoulis Institute embraces diversity and inclusion and is committed to creating a culture of inclusion. We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodation, please contact careers@thebaltimorebanner.com.

Equity and Accessibility

We are dedicated to ensuring equal opportunity in employment and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.