Grist is a nonprofit, independent media organization dedicated to highlighting climate solutions and uncovering environmental injustices. Since 1999, we have engaged and informed the public about the perils of the most existential threat we face. Now that three-quarters of Americans recognize that climate change is happening, we’ve shifted our focus in part to demonstrate the ways that a just and sustainable future is within reach. 

Over the past four years, Grist has scaled from a Seattle-based team of 20-25 to a nationally distributed organization of ~60 with a growing budget. Grist’s strategy centers on climate, justice, and solutions, and we implement our mission through two areas of work: Our award-winning editorial program and our work to transform talent and representation within environmental storytelling.

Position Overview

Grist, in partnership with Chicago Public Media, is seeking an experienced journalist to help cover energy, the natural environment, and the impact of global climate change on the greater Chicago area and region. The ideal candidate will have a deep interest in energy, climate and regional environmental issues and will be able to find the narratives that make those issues relevant to people. 

This position will explore the environmental and societal impacts of climate change as they affect Chicago and parts of the Midwest, with special attention paid to how these forces affect natural habitats and ecosystems, the health and welfare of people (especially communities of color and low-income communities), and the future quality of life in our region. The reporter will be expected to closely follow developments in the fields of energy, the environment and climate science on a local, state, national and global basis, and to look for their regional implications. They will also be encouraged to make big picture connections, placing the regional story within the larger context of an ongoing global concern.

For this position, we are partnering with Chicago Public Media, one of the largest and most respected public media organizations in the country, home to WBEZ radio, the Chicago Sun-Times and Vocalo. CPM provides substantive news and insights, thoughtful conversation and meaningful connections to its diverse audiences throughout the Chicago area, as well as nationally and globally. This reporter will be a Grist employee who works daily with CPM staff, with support from Grist editors.

Together, we are looking for someone who loves storytelling and is curious to explore the wonders, challenges and complexities of our regional environment. This reporter will bring a human-centered approach to their work, utilizing creative approaches to reporting and storytelling that seek to make the complex understandable.

The ideal candidate will also bring a “solutions lens” to their work, helping individuals understand what role they can play in counteracting the effects of climate change. They will bring a clarifying and challenging lens to larger policy initiatives, both governmental and economic. They will have an awareness of the disproportionate impact such policies can have on environmental racism and justice. They will examine innovative approaches to sustainability from the private, public and non-profit centers, and look beyond Chicago to other cities in the U.S. and abroad for learnings and comparative possibilities.

The annual base pay for this position is between $60,000 and $70,000 depending on experience. This position is represented by Pacific Northwest Newspaper Guild Local 37082 (“Grist NewsGuild”).

Key responsibilities

●        Report and write impactful stories about climate change, environment and energy for digital and print with ambition, creativity and high editorial standards.

●        Record and gather sound elements to create rich audio experiences for features and newscasts. 

●        In consultation with audio editors and talk show producers, contribute to a regular on-air segment focused on the regional environment and climate change.

●        Pitch, report at least one multi-month enterprise feature

●        Conduct interviews and participate in on-air two-way conversations with hosts and anchors across dayparts that illuminate our understanding of climate change

●        Work with partner organizations on creating or adapting content to run in local newspapers, digital news sites, radio and on Grist.org

●        Cultivate sources and make use of reporting tools like FOIA, financial filings, database acquisition and analysis and data mining to uncover stories

●        Represent WBEZ and Grist in public forums and community events as needed

Skills/Qualifications

●        At least 3 years’ experience in a daily or weekly news organization.

●        A deep familiarity with environmental, energy and climate change topics, including biological, scientific and policy aspects. 

●        Ability to write and produce stories on deadline with skill, accuracy and insight

●        Ability to handle breaking news under deadline pressure while balancing longer-term enterprise projects

●        Demonstrated passion for news and a delight in unearthing scoops, advancing stories, or identifying creative angles when covering key stories on the beat

●        Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with editors, producers and reporters across the newsroom in service of shared excellence

●        Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to cultivate strong relationships with colleagues and sources.

●        Broadcast experience helpful, but not required – just an eagerness to learn

●        Comfortable with using social media to drive engagement and promote content

●        Impeccable news judgment and ethics

●        Strong organizational skills and ability to juggle multiple tasks and deadlines

Skills/Qualifications

●        At least 3 years’ experience in a daily or weekly news organization.

●        A deep familiarity with environmental, energy and climate change topics, including biological, scientific and policy aspects. 

●        Ability to write and produce stories on deadline with skill, accuracy and insight

●        Ability to handle breaking news under deadline pressure while balancing longer-term enterprise projects

●        Demonstrated passion for news and a delight in unearthing scoops, advancing stories, or identifying creative angles when covering key stories on the beat

●        Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with editors, producers and reporters across the newsroom in service of shared excellence

●        Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to cultivate strong relationships with colleagues and sources.

●        Broadcast experience helpful, but not required – just an eagerness to learn

●        Comfortable with using social media to drive engagement and promote content

●        Impeccable news judgment and ethics

●        Strong organizational skills and ability to juggle multiple tasks and deadlines

BENEFITS

• Medical, dental and vision coverage paid 100% for Employee premiums and 85% for Dependent premiums
• Employer paid Basic Life, ADD, Travel Assistance, STD/LTD, EAPs
• Voluntary Insurance include Health, Dependent and Transit FSA, Life/ADD, Critical Illness and Accident Insurance
• Traditional and Roth 401k with matching (vested immediately)
• Monthly WiFi Stipend
• Alternative Transportation Reimbursement
• Fifteen paid holidays per year (which includes office closure between Dec 25 and Jan 1) plus five floating holidays, one holiday to use within 30 days of your birthday, and 3 summer days
• Generous paid and unpaid leave programs 
• Annual in-person all-staff retreat (subject to pandemic conditions)

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applicants must submit a resume and cover letter explaining why you’re a great fit for this position. Applications without both a resume and cover letter will not be considered. 

Total compensation package includes a competitive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision insurance. No phone calls, please.

Cultivating an inclusive staff is central to Grist’s focus on advancing equity. We’re interested in hearing from people who can work with diverse colleagues of varied experience. Candidates of all backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. Grist is an equal-opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.