Senior Investigative Reporter

About POGO

Founded in 1981 in partnership with whistleblowers, the Project On Government Oversight (POGO) is a nonpartisan independent watchdog that works to expose waste, corruption, abuse of power, and other instances where the government fails to serve the public. We champion reforms to achieve a more effective, ethical, and accountable federal government that safeguards constitutional principles. POGO has an over $7 million annual budget that supports a staff of over 50 employees.

About the Role

The POGO Investigates team is looking for a talented Senior Investigative Reporter to help identify and explore previously underreported issues in federal policy and oversight. During the first 90 days, this position will be focused on filing stories on election subversion activities, war profiteering, and other abuses of power. For the remainder of the term, that focus can expand to include stories on corruption and regulatory capture, as well as stories that center the experiences of historically marginalized communities and highlight unique challenges they face in achieving a more effective, accountable government. The Senior Investigative Reporter reports directly to the Vice President of Investigations.

We encourage potential applicants to apply even if they only have experience or familiarity in some of the areas described below. We fully recognize that many great candidates will not have experience in all of the areas we list, or may have relevant experiences and skills that we have not listed or considered.

Responsibilities

• Cultivating sources who can provide investigative leads.
• Working with the Vice President of Investigations and other colleagues to identify prospective investigations.
• Conducting preliminary investigations into promising leads, including leads obtained from POGO’s tipline.
• Developing and executing thorough investigative plans, utilizing tips and other human intelligence, open-source intelligence techniques, the Freedom of Information Act, government databases, and interviews with members of impacted communities and other sources.
• Managing investigative projects by assigning tasks to researchers, fellows, interns, monitoring their progress and providing feedback.
• Authoring accurate, concise, and balanced reporting to be published on POGO’s website and on/in third party websites/publications.
• Adhering to publication and production timelines, as well as editorial requirements and policies.
• Participating in check-ins with supervisor and senior colleagues to report investigative leads, topics, work progress, and deadlines, and, if necessary, receives new direction within the scope of the project.
• Presenting original investigative findings to POGO’s policy team, along with any discussion of potential recommendations to correct the abuses or problems that were uncovered.
• Engaging in follow-up activities, which may include drafting press pitches and social media content, appearing on television, radio, and podcasts, testifying before congressional committees and federal agencies, and disseminating information to Congress and the Executive Branch staff and/or allied organizations.
• Assisting in developing funding proposals to support investigations.
• Mentoring more junior investigators, researchers, fellows and interns.
• Other duties as required to accomplish POGO’s mission.

Qualifications

• Minimum of eight years of experience as an investigator, journalist or demonstrated equivalent experience.
• Must be able to work independently and collaboratively, with well-developed time and project management skills.
• Ability to maintain and continuously expand network of professional contacts and sources.
• A keen eye and ear for storytelling, especially when it comes to building stories around complex subject matter with accountability in mind.
• Exercises excellent editorial judgment with respect to journalistic ethics and libel laws.
• Able to think critically and apply POGO’s previous work/policy positions to new issue areas, with an eye toward identifying the systemic reform angle.
• Excellent interpersonal and interview skills, and the ability to work effectively with colleagues, media organizations, and government officials and employees.
• Well-organized with a strong attention to detail.
• Experience successfully managing team projects.
• Demonstrable track record of taking initiative to solve problems and adapt to changing circumstances.
• Committed to working in a nonpartisan manner with diverse stakeholders and policy makers.
• Able to work independently when necessary, multitask, take direction, and meet strict deadlines.
• Works respectfully and collaboratively with POGO staff, and demonstrates a strong commitment to POGO’s justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) values.
• Strong research skills, including the ability to effectively use government and other open-data sources.
• Familiarity with federal government policy, structure, and operations preferred.
• Prior reporting on election interference, war profiteering, and/or regulatory capture preferred.

Compensation & Benefits

• This position is eligible for remote work from anywhere within the greater Washington, DC metropolitan region, provided you have regular, consistent access to the District of Columbia.
• This is a full-time, exempt, at-will position. This position is grant funded for a period of one year and continued employment is contingent upon the receipt of direct grant funds.
• Competitive nonprofit salary commensurate with experience in the range of $85,000 to $100,000.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• 403(b) employee investment plan available, with employer retirement contribution once eligible.
• Life insurance, short-term and long-term disability coverage.
• Paid holiday, vacation, and sick leave.

To Apply

Submit cover letter and resume. No phone calls please.

Application Deadline

June 28th

Equal Opportunity Employer

POGO is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. We encourage all interested and qualified individuals to apply.