Demographics and Public Policy Data Reporter

The Washington Post Data Team is seeking a collaborative reporter who can use data and quantitative analysis to cover demography and public policy, helping to explain how the two intersect across many facets of American life. This reporter will be tasked with helping Post readers understand shifting population trends and social movement across the United States as well as resulting impacts on policy. This position will be embedded in the America desk, a team that chronicles changes in the nation’s culture and communities and covers major national news stories. This data reporter will also work frequently with The Post’s social issues, democracy and politics teams. First and foremost, we are seeking someone who can identify great stories powered by data, and who can partner with journalists focused on text, graphics and other story-telling formats. We are looking for someone with a team spirit who has keen instincts for data that can yield compelling stories. This reporter will tell data-driven, U.S.-based stories focused on demographic dimensions such as gender, race, age and ethnicity. By acquiring data, conducting statistical analysis, creating visualizations and pursuing traditional lines of reporting, we expect this reporter to produce revelatory work that provides insight into how the U.S. is changing and the ways in which public policy is (or is not) addressing emerging disparities. Candidates should be curious lifelong learners who are happy to help a teammate and who thrive through sharing knowledge and working together. Key skills for the job are critical thinking, deep skepticism and a healthy dose of good cheer. Candidates should also have several years of experience in data journalism, be adept with an analysis language such as R or Python, and have familiarity with SQL, the command line and version control. Spatial analysis and other mapping skills for exploratory analysis are a major plus in this role.