Extreme Weather and Natural Disasters Reporter

The Washington Post is seeking a dynamic and aggressive reporter to launch a new beat covering extreme weather and natural disasters for the Climate & Environment team. The reporter in this position, which is part of a significant expansion of climate coverage at The Post, will chronicle how climate change is transforming the United States through violent storms, intense heat, wildfires and other forms of extreme weather. This reporter will blend rapid deployments to disasters with enterprise reporting on the forces shaping extreme weather patterns and the struggles of communities and government officials to prepare, respond and deal with the aftermath. Top candidates for this role must be able to forge connections with first responders and residents in chaotic circumstances, while developing a deep reservoir of knowledge and sourcing to help explain the role of climate in contributing to these disasters in real time. When others leave a disaster zone, this journalist will often stay or return, scrutinizing how federal and state officials are rebuilding. And when not traveling, this reporter will look for ambitious opportunities to examine how America is confronting a new age of extreme weather: uncovering failures, documenting disparities. This writer should be prepared to use all the tools of modern journalism – immersive and evocative text narratives, social video, audio and other storytelling formats – to help inform our readers, listeners and viewers. They will work closely with other Post journalists deployed to cover extreme weather events and disasters. Experience covering extreme weather and natural disasters will be a big asset in this role. This position is based in our Washington newsroom.