Reporter, ProPublica-Texas Tribune Initiative

ProPublica is an independent, nonprofit newsroom that produces investigative journalism in the public interest. 

ProPublica is hiring a reporter to join its joint investigative unit with The Texas Tribune.

We’re looking for a dogged, accountability-focused reporter who is passionate about exposing harm and has a track record of producing revelatory journalism that is both short-term and long-term. The position is part of a collaboration formed between the two organizations five years ago that focuses on holding powerful people and institutions accountable.

We chronicle gaps in oversight, abuses of power, conflicts of interest and betrayals of the public trust throughout the state.

Since its creation, the partnership has produced ambitious and vital work that has spurred impact. After the team reported that hundreds of soldiers charged with offenses like sexual assault and domestic violence were allowed to leave the Army instead of facing trial, the military branch stopped allowing commanders to make such decisions on their own. The Consumer Product Safety Commission proposed sweeping new regulations to make portable generators safer in the wake of our reporting about carbon monoxide poisoning. Texas legislators closed a juvenile background check loophole in response to the team’s reporting that uncovered critical omissions. The team was also a Pulitzer Prize finalist for its analysis of the flawed police response to the Uvalde school shooting.

Texas is at or near the center of many national news stories, and demographic and political shifts often play out there first. With the largest shared border with Mexico, it is the leading frontier in the immigration debate. It is poised to become the largest state to approve the use of school vouchers. It’s ground zero for the nation’s fights over energy and natural resources and is a magnet for corporate relocations and technology companies. It is also home to some of the country’s largest military installations. 

We’re Looking for a Reporter Who:

• Has at least five years of experience producing original accountability journalism and a talent for, and dedication to, digging for the truth.
• Has a deep desire to focus their work on important accountability stories in Texas and has a vision for what they’d like to (un)cover at ProPublica.
• Embraces, and has experience with, a wide range of reporting techniques, from underpinning stories with exclusive data analysis to using creative strategies to engage with readers and sources. 
• Is a skilled investigative storyteller, capable of delivering findings in ways that connect with readers, either as riveting narratives or muscular, vivid investigative reports.
• Is able to bring an accountability lens to the issues of the day through quick investigations reported over a couple of weeks as well as longer projects that may require a few months (or more) of digging.
• Does not shy away from urgent, high-stakes stories that are central to public conversation, which can require carving out a lane amid competition.
• Really likes working with others. This role is already part of a collaboration. We are a highly collaborative newsroom, both across our teams and with other news organizations regionally and nationally. We believe we do our best work together.
• Is able to travel, as necessary, for stories, team meetings and trainings. 
• Has Spanish language skills. (This is a plus.)       

This job is full time and includes benefits. The reporter will be on the ProPublica payroll and will report to a ProPublica editor based in Texas, but they will work with editors and staffers at both news organizations. We are willing to consider any candidates who currently live in, or are willing to relocate to, Texas.

Applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S.

The expected salary range for this position is $90,000 to $130,000.

This is a good-faith estimate of what we expect to pay for this position. The final salary figure will take into account a person’s experience, accomplishments and location. ProPublica is committed to paying its staff equitably, and these ranges should not be considered career salary limits or caps.

We will begin reviewing applications as we receive them, but we will continue to consider candidates as long as the posting remains live on our site.

Questions? Send an email to talent@propublica.org. 

No phone calls, please.

We know there are great candidates who may not fit into what we’ve described above or who have important skills we haven’t thought of. If that’s you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself.

We are dedicated to improving our newsroom, in part by better reflecting the people we cover. (Here is a breakdown of our staff.) We are committed to diversity and building an inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds and ages. And we are taking steps to meet that commitment. We especially encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including women, people of color, LGBTQ+ people and people with disabilities. We are an equal opportunity employer and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age or any other status protected under applicable law.