Reporter, Midwest

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

We’re looking for an ambitious investigative reporter to take on compelling stories grounded in the Midwest but with national resonance, designed to surprise, reveal and bring about change. We’re particularly interested in reporters with experience in government and corporate accountability reporting or a strong desire to make that their specialty. 

Currently, we have reporters based in Illinois, Michigan, Missouri and Wisconsin. We’re looking to add to any of those locations or put a reporter in Ohio, Indiana or Minnesota.

We’re looking to hire someone who:

• Has reported original and revelatory accountability stories. If that experience is in the Midwest, all the better.
• 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.
• Embraces urgent, high-stakes stories that are central to public conversation, which can require carving out a lane amid competition.
• Strives to report and write stories that are both important and powerfully told and has a vision for how they’d approach major government and corporate institutions in the Midwest.
• Has experience with or ideas about all the possible ways we can do journalism now: from deep data digging to working with readers to marrying narrative and investigative forms.
• Collaborates well — across our team, across ProPublica and with other news organizations. We believe we do some of our best work when we’re collaborating with others.
• Can travel, as needed, for assignments, training and staff meetings.

We know there are great candidates who may not fit into what we’ve described above or who have important skills or interests in topics we haven’t mentioned. If that’s you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself. Let us know what you think would make for the most powerful avenues to explore government and corporate accountability journalism out of this region.

This job is full time and includes benefits. The candidates must be based in, or willing to relocate to, one of the states in our coverage area, as noted in the listing. Applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S.

The expected salary range for this position is $90,000 to $125,000.

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 and accomplishment. 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.