Visual Journalist Job at Education Week in Bethesda

Education Week, a nonprofit media organization that provides the most trusted news on K-12 American education, is seeking a

Visual Journalist

to join our Editorial team.

Job Summary
The Visual Journalist is an experienced journalist with deep subject‑matter knowledge and an ability to shift seamlessly between visual storytelling formats—including but not limited to video—and text‑based stories. This individual has a proven track record of spotting big‑picture trends, emerging issues, and cultivating strong sources. They develop, report, and write a range of stories on K-12 education that advance the mission of Education Week. The Visual Journalist possesses exceptional writing skills, intellectual curiosity, a mastery of journalistic style and standards, strong ethical and news judgment, and the capacity to reflect a wide range of voices and viewpoints in their reporting. The journalist must be able to transition easily among education reporting assignments on topics spanning K-12 policy, classroom practice, government and politics, and strategies for supporting students and teachers. The position will report to the Managing Editor, Visuals and Immersive Experience, while also working closely with editors across topic areas throughout the process of conceiving and executing stories.

This full‑time hybrid position is based in Education Week's Bethesda, MD, office in the Washington DC metro area. Candidates must be able to work in the Bethesda, MD office, or be willing to relocate. The annual salary range for this position is $70,900 – $85,000, commensurate with knowledge, skills and abilities.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Produce both visual‑first reporting—including stories delivered via video—and text-based stories, and work collaboratively with editors to make quick decisions about which approach makes sense for the topic.

Develop stories across visual and text formats, producing or securing visuals, cultivating sources, verifying facts, and presenting information in a clear, engaging way.

Write quickly, clearly, and in a compelling way across several types of stories, including text-based breaking news, narratives accompanying videos and other visuals, and in‑depth analytical pieces.

Contribute to many of Education Week’s editorial products, including digital news stories, pre‑planned or spot news videos, special reports, social media posts, and in‑person and online live events, including webinars and essential forums.

Interpret and report on complex policy issues with both rigor and objectivity, including topics such as curriculum, education policy, and school finance.

Enhance stories through graphics, maps, data visualization, and other creative forms of storytelling.

Create visually engaging digital assets for articles, features, and special projects across web, mobile, and social platforms.

Represent Education Week in live and virtual events, conferences, and media appearances as a subject‑matter expert.

Travel occasionally outside of the Washington, D.C. region for reporting and events.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, Required

Minimum of 5 years as a reporter with a track record of publishing enterprising and engaging journalism delivered in visual and text form. Candidates with a background in education are preferred, though not required.

Strong writing skills that meet the needs of a variety of story types on‑ and off‑platform.

Proven ability to collaborate with editors to quickly determine whether a story is visual‑first or text‑first and to execute effectively in either format.

Demonstrated ability to pitch and lead in‑depth reporting, including but not limited to visual‑first stories, special reporting series, an enterprise project, or other feature that goes beyond regular beat reporting.

A sophisticated understanding of audience analytics and how to use the data to inform decisions on coverage, framing, and audience.

Excellent story ideation and building skills, writing prowess, and line editing abilities, as well as mastery of AP style and ability to learn and apply Education Week style.

Benefits
Education Week is a vibrant workplace that is conveniently located in the heart of downtown Bethesda, Md., right outside Washington, D.C. We offer a competitive salary and benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k), PTO, generous tuition assistance, and more. We value innovation, leadership, and forward thinking, and provide a friendly, intellectual, challenging work environment where employees can thrive and grow professionally. As such, Education Week is an equal‑opportunity employer. This job is covered under the terms of a collective bargaining agreement with the Washington‑Baltimore News Guild, CWA Local 32035. Please note, Education Week will not be able to sponsor applicants for work visas at this time.

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