Higher Education Reporter, National

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

We are hiring a reporter to dig into the turbulence and change roiling America’s higher education system for one of the country’s most innovative, collaborative and ambitious investigative newsrooms. We’re looking for a reporter with a record of producing powerful accountability stories that surprise, uncover injustice, deliver life-altering revelations and bring about change.

Prior experience covering higher education is not required; we’re looking for a curious and dogged reporter committed to investigating what’s happening in this field and what it means for students, faculty and the future of higher education in America.

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. 
• Strives to report and write stories that are both important and powerfully told.
• Has a vision for how they’d approach higher education investigations for 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.
• Brings an accountability lens to developments in higher education 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.
• Collaborates well — both across the newsroom and with other news organizations regionally and nationally. We believe we do some of our best work together.
• Can travel, as needed, for assignments, training and staff meetings.                

This job is full time and includes benefits. ProPublica is based in New York, but we’re open to remote candidates. We have offices in New York City; Washington, D.C.; Atlanta; Chicago; Austin, Texas; Phoenix; and Berkeley, California. Applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S. Applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S.

The expected salary range for this position is $95,000 to $170,000.

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, accomplishment 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.