Correspondent

The Canadian Press is looking for a strong writer, an aggressive and versatile reporter and an energetic self-starter to fill one the most important jobs in Canadian journalism: covering the United States for Canadians from Washington, D.C. The successful candidate will have a track record showing a deep understanding of global politics and economics, an ability to network and develop sources in a competitive environment and a talent for engaging, explanatory writing that appeals to the broadest possible audience of Canadians. This reporter will have a keen sense of what Canadians need to know about U.S. President Joe Biden and his administration, the Republicans vying to replace him in the 2024 election, and be able to explain and break news about Washington – and the wider United States – in a way that gives Canadian readers unparalleled insight into developments south of the border. The reporter will also know where and how to find powerful stories away from the spotlight of the White House and the Capitol Hill, delivering well-crafted, in-depth features on people, places and issues that resonate in Canada, including on trade, investment, culture, celebrity, national security and regional developments of interest to Canadians. The reporter will have a demonstrated ability to develop and nurture a diverse array of sources, produce exclusive stories on a frequent basis, use data, documents and multimedia elements for compelling storytelling, and write sharp features that inform while also commanding attention. The correspondent will report to the Ottawa Bureau Chief as part of a team with the shared goal of providing the public and our clients with the best political coverage in Canada.

Responsibilities

· Write, edit and gather multimedia content for print, audio and video.

· Pitch and deliver exclusive and enterprise material on a frequent and regular basis.

· Develop networks on Capitol Hill, throughout Washington and within Canada’s government for a deep understanding of what drives Canada-U.S. relations.

· Use freedom-of-information laws, court records, knowledge of government procedures, and familiarity with data and documents to break news.

· Use social media to track and verify developments across the United States of relevance to Canadians.

· Collaborate with colleagues to share tips, confirm rumours and develop context for news.

· Distill large amounts of information to determine key and important information under time constraints.

· Flexible hours will be required.

· Occasional travel outside of Washington for both enterprise reporting and major breaking news.

Skills and Experience Required

· Solid experience in a fast-paced newsroom.

· Excellent verbal and written communication in English, including strong command of English grammar rules and CP style.

· Excellent knowledge and demonstrated professional experience using different platforms, including audio, video and multimedia.

· Self-starter able to take initiative and develop story ideas independently.

· Ability to work efficiently in intense environment with a high degree of public scrutiny.

· Ability to work under extreme deadline pressures.

· Ability to work both independently and within a team.

Skills and Experience Desired

· Verbal and written communication skills in French.

· Verbal and written communication skills in a language other than English or French.

· Strong background in political journalism.