What are the responsibilities and job description for the Accountability Reporter (Journalism / Investigative Reporting) position at Mediabistro?
Washington, DC (In-Office) | Full-Time
About the Role
A fast-growing, audience-supported digital news organization is building out a dedicated accountability team and hiring a reporter to cover corruption, conflicts of interest, and misuse of public office across the executive branch, Congress, and federal agencies. The publication has more than one million subscribers across newsletters, podcasts, video, live events, and memberships.
This reporter will track DOJ decisions, inspector general reports, ethics complaints, pardons, and court cases. The beat also includes breaking news from Hill investigations, covering hearings, and interviewing lawmakers and witnesses. Longer investigative projects are encouraged when the reporting supports them. The reporter will also write and lead an accountability newsletter publishing at least once or twice per week, developing a distinct voice that drives subscriber engagement.
The team works together in person five days a week at a DC office.
What the Role Covers
- Covering corruption, conflicts of interest, and misuse of public office across all three branches and federal agencies
- Tracking enforcement developments including DOJ actions, IG reports, ethics complaints, pardons, and court cases
- Breaking news from Hill investigations, hearings, and interviews with lawmakers and witnesses
- Pursuing longer investigations when warranted
- Building and maintaining sources across government, watchdog groups, legal practitioners, and current and former officials
- Mining public records, FOIA requests, financial disclosures, lobbying filings, and court dockets
- Writing and running an accountability newsletter at least once per week
- Appearing on shows and videos to explain reporting
- Contributing to social packaging and collaborating with editors, producers, and other reporters on coverage plans
Qualifications
- 5 years of reporting experience with a track record of investigative stories or similar beat coverage
- Fast and accurate on deadline without cutting corners
- Strong sourcing skills with experience unearthing documents and scanning public records
- Clear, direct writing that explains complex stories to a general audience
- Comfortable on camera or eager to get there
- Sound judgment on sourcing, fairness, and legal risk
Preferred
- Experience covering DOJ, federal courts, legal and public office ethics, or campaign finance
- Skills in data reporting or financial records analysis
- Experience appearing on podcasts, video, or TV
Benefits
- Competitive pay
- Full employer-sponsored health plans
- 401(k) with employer match
- Generous vacation and PTO
- Commuter benefits and Employee Assistance Program
Visit Mediabistro for full details and application instructions.