AAJA25 is hiring: Visual Journalist in Bethesda

Location:

Bethesda, Maryland, United States

Postal Code:

20814

Job Category:

Publishing

Employment Type:

Full time

Salary:

70,900-85,000 USD per year

Posted:

05.05.2026

Visual Journalist
Education Week, a nonprofit media organization that provides 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 reports 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 is $70,900‑$85,000, commensurate with knowledge, skills and abilities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Produce visual‑first reporting—including stories delivered via video—and text‑based stories, working collaboratively with editors to decide the appropriate approach for each topic.

Develop stories across visual and text formats, producing or securing visuals, cultivating sources, verifying facts, and presenting information clearly and engagingly.

Write quickly, clearly, and compellingly across several types of stories—text‑based breaking news, narratives accompanying videos and other visuals, and in‑depth analytical pieces.

Contribute to Education Week’s editorial products, including digital news stories, pre‑planned or spot news videos, special reports, social media posts, and live events such as webinars and essentials forums.

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

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

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 the Washington, D.C. region for reporting and events.

Required Qualifications, Knowledge and Skills

Minimum of 5 years as a reporter with a track record of publishing engaging journalism delivered in visual and text form.

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

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

Demonstrated ability to pitch and lead in‑depth reporting, including visual‑first stories, special reporting series, enterprise projects, or other feature work beyond regular beat reporting.

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

Excellent story ideation, building skills, writing prowess, line editing abilities, and mastery of AP style and Education Week style.

Benefits
Education Week is a vibrant workplace located in downtown Bethesda, MD, just outside Washington, D.C. The role offers competitive salary and benefits including health, dental, vision insurance, 401(k), PTO, generous tuition assistance, and more. Education Week is an equal‑opportunity employer. This position is covered under the terms of a collective bargaining agreement with the Washington‑Baltimore News Guild, CWA Local 32035. Education Week will not sponsor work visas at this time.

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