Investigative Reporter, (1-year position)

WHO WE ARE

Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to a fair and just marketplace for consumers. Our team is made up of truth tellers, change agents, and consumer advocates who investigate and build coalitions to fight for fairness and justice in the marketplace for consumers. We leverage our evidence-based approach to demand safer products, a healthier environment, and equitable services for everyone. 

Our mission starts with you. We offer medical benefits that start on your first day as a CR employee that include behavioral health coverage, family planning and a generous 401K match. Learn more about how CR advocates on behalf of our employees.

OVERVIEW

One of the world’s most influential mission-driven media organizations, Consumer Reports produces award-winning digital, print, and video content that guides readers through their shopping decisions and promotes a fairer, more transparent marketplace.

CR’s investigative journalism team has alerted consumers about the dangers posed by water beads to children and infant formulas that have higher levels of lead and arsenic; our writers have shared how synthetic braiding hair contains dangerous chemicals and how neighborhoods with a disproportionately high number of people of color and low-income residents are adversely affected when Amazon warehouses come to town. They’ve helped readers navigate the complex world of food safety with in-depth reports on dark chocolate and cinnamon. 

We are looking for an experienced journalist interested in spending a year leveling up their investigative skills and helping to uncover the threats and challenges consumers face in this constantly changing landscape. You’ll be reporting to the lead health and food editor to conceive, create, and produce deeply reported investigative and enterprise stories that lead to real marketplace change. Tell us in your cover letter why you're the right person for this job.

This is a hybrid position.  This is a limited duration role which will end one year from the successful candidate’s start date. This position is also not eligible for Sponsorship (TN, L1, etc.)

How You'll Make An Impact

The stories you report on will champion consumers’ interests and change people’s lives.  Specifically, you will:

• Closely follow beats related to CR’s top issues including food and product safety, chemical safety, and pocketbook challenges, conferring regularly and closely with CR’s subject matter and policy experts to identify topics and angles of investigation.
• Use a variety of research and reporting methods, such as public records, databases, scientific studies, and interviews in your investigative work.
• Work closely with the editors on CR’s special projects and health/food teams to develop and execute two to four investigations over the course of the year.
• Possibly do social media, earned media, or public appearances related to investigations.

ABOUT YOU

You’ll Be Highly Rated If:

• You have the reporting chops. You have at least two to three years of reporting experience that demonstrate an ability to ask hard questions and dig deep to find answers. 
• You know the tools of the trade. You’re comfortable using a variety of journalism tools, such as finding subject matter experts, filing FOIAs, reviewing lawsuits, parsing scientific studies, and analyzing online databases.
• You’re eager to grow your skills. You welcome feedback on your ideas and your stories, and you tackle revisions graciously. 
• You take a reader-first approach. You can convert technical insights and data into informative, well-written, easy-to-understand content. 
• You are an idea generator. You are a creative thinker with lots of original story ideas to pitch in the areas of food safety, chemical safety, product safety, and/or marketplace challenges. 
• You are a sharp writer. Your copy is clean, engaging, and well-organized. You have a knack for translating complex information into compelling stories. 
• You are a quick study. You know how to swiftly bring yourself up to speed on new beats.
• You're a self-starter. You can work independently as well as collaboratively across multiple platforms and with other writers, editors, and experts from a variety of departments. You can run with an assignment as well as with your own ideas.
• You thrive in a fast-paced, multi-faceted environment. You can work on multiple projects at once without losing focus or sacrificing attention to detail.

You'll Be One of Our Top Picks If:

• You’ve gone the extra mile. It’s a plus if you’ve earned your Master’s Degree in journalism.
• You have knowledge in certain categories. We are particularly interested in candidates who have reported on food safety, chemical safety, product safety, and/or marketplace challenges. 
• You are an excellent communicator. You are able to clearly express ideas for articles and share information with colleagues.
• You are insatiably curious. You have a reporter’s thirst for knowledge and the ability to pose questions that will get you the answers you need.
• You're deadline driven. You’re capable of turning around engaging, well-written stories quickly, while balancing competing demands and priorities. 
• You’re familiar with digital publishing platforms. You have competency in Word Press and Google docs, with the ability to learn other platforms as needed.
• You appreciate multimedia storytelling. You’re a versatile journalist who can collaborate with designers and video and photo editors on visual treatments across platforms.
• You are data-driven. You are adept at using SEO research, web metrics, and other market data to guide your work.
• You enjoy collaboration. You’re open to working alongside CR colleagues—editors, fact-checkers, testers, consumer advocates, layout designers, etc.—to create stories that genuinely impact consumers and the marketplace.   
• You are comfortable in front of a microphone or camera. You welcome the opportunity to participate in video projects and represent CR in social media, podcast, and press appearances. 

  #LI-Hybrid

FAIR PAY AND A JUST WORKPLACE

At Consumer Reports, we are committed to fair, transparent pay and we strive to provide competitive, market-informed compensation.The target salary range for this position is $100K-$110K. It is anticipated that most qualified candidates will fall near the middle of this range.Compensation for the successful candidate will be informed by the candidate’s particular combination of knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience.

Consumer Reports is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions or lactation), gender identity and expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service or veteran status, protected medical condition as defined by applicable state or local law, disability, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.  Consumer Reports will provide you with any reasonable assistance or accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process.