Injustice Watch is hiring senior reporters to cover the court system in Cook County and Illinois. The ideal candidates have strong knowledge of the courts or issues that intersect with the courts (such as domestic violence, juvenile justice, policing, or housing, to name a few). We’re looking for people who have experience covering issues of equity and justice and a track record of using enterprise and investigative techniques in their reporting. This job is for someone who is committed to listening to and centering communities disproportionately affected by the legal system and to reporting through a racial equity lens.

The senior reporters will primarily contribute to long-term special projects that shed light on the court system, such as our judicial election guides. The right candidates will be able to generate ideas for ambitious investigative and public-service projects and help lead a team of reporters and residents to execute on them. The senior reporters will also collaborate with our community partners and Injustice Watch’s audience team to come up with innovative ways to connect community members with our public-service journalism.

We’re looking for someone with: 

• 5 or more years of reporting experience, a deep understanding of the field, and established sources in Chicago and Cook County.
• An investigative mindset, with excellent storytelling, research, and interview skills.
• An ability to articulate how systems have shaped policy, governance, culture, and inequity in the U.S., and understand critical issues driving current social movements.
• Experience leading reporting projects or collaborative work and a desire to mentor and support less experienced journalists.
• A commitment to maintaining an ethical, honest, accurate, and fair standard in their work.
• A strong command of AP style and grammar and the ability to produce content that is clean, accurate, and “publication ready” on deadline.
• Experience using social media such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to enhance reporting and promote stories.
• A desire to contribute to an equitable, inclusive, and caring organizational culture.

While nothing below is a requirement, it’s a plus if you are: 

• Proficient in wrangling large datasets using Excel or programming languages like SQL, R or Python.
• Knowledgeable about Chicagoland history, politics, institutions, and communities.
• Purpose-driven in your work with a strong ability to self-manage in the workplace.
• Able to show a track record of producing watchdog journalism that has an impact.
• Adept at using social media, SEO, and other strategies to draw in audiences.

We know there are great candidates who might not check all these boxes or who possess important skills we haven’t thought of. If that’s you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself. We also encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including people of color, LGBTQ people, and people with disabilities.

Time commitment

This is a full-time position based in Chicago. Our regular working hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Injustice Watch offers flex-time and flexible schedule accommodations with prior approval. Our team is currently working primarily remotely, with the option to utilize our downtown office, as needed.

Compensation

Salary: $80,000 – $90,000, commensurate with experience

Benefits of working at Injustice Watch 

• Vacation time (12+ days per year)
• Sick leave (12 days per year)
• Holidays (13 days per year, plus a paid winter break)
• Family leave (6 months, including 3 months fully paid and 3 months of flexible leave)
• Health, dental, and vision insurance, with a $400/month employer contribution
• Annual professional development and workspace stipend ($1,500)
• Phone and internet stipend ($50/month)
• Flexible work schedule
• 401K plan

How to apply

Please apply using this application form. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the positions are filled. Email jobs@injusticewatch.org if you have any questions. We are also hiring a reporter. Click here for more information about that opportunity.

About Injustice Watch

Injustice Watch is a Chicago-based nonprofit, nonpartisan journalism organization that focuses on issues of equity and justice in the courts. Our goal is to listen to and center people impacted by institutional injustices and provide them with the perspectives, information, and resources needed to hold power to account. We do this through our public-service journalism (such as our Cook County judicial election guides); innovative investigative reporting (such as The Circuit, our ongoing collaborative investigation examining decades of Cook County court data); and intentional audience engagement and community-building. Learn more about our work at www.injusticewatch.org.