It’s not news to anyone in Chicago that the city has long struggled with gun violence. We’re hiring a reporter to cover what’s being done, or not, to address the problem.
The Trace is the only news organization in America exclusively dedicated to reporting on gun violence, in its entirety. As our Chicago beat reporter, your role will be to identify and follow up on the most important developments in the fight to reduce shootings in the city. To do that, you’ll listen to and learn from residents of the most affected communities. You’ll engage with relevant research. You’ll uncover promising interventions, profile the people driving them, and share the stories of the people whose lives are changed by new programs and policies. Through your journalism, you’ll create accountability for those whose failures, underperformance, or obstruction stand in the way of a safer city for all.
The ideal candidate knows Chicago well and has an interest in enterprise or watchdog reporting. What we’re looking for is someone excited by the challenge of pursuing nuanced, high-impact journalism that has the potential to propel change.
Our writers do ambitious, important work — and receive the coaching and resources they need along the way. Our publishing and reporting partnerships, which have included several Chicago news organizations, bring our stories to their target audiences, while allowing members of our team a chance to collaborate with journalists from other newsrooms.
This grant-funded position has an initial term of 12 months, with the possibility of extension.
To apply, please send the following to [email protected]: your resume; a cover letter explaining your interest in this opportunity and your vision for reporting on Chicago gun violence; and links to three to five of your strongest stories.
Deadline: Wednesday, November 13
