Reporter

Grist is hiring! We're looking for a reporter to help anchor our daily and weekly coverage as driven by the news cycle.

This reporter will cover the intersection of climate change, policy, politics, and culture. We're looking for someone who can move quickly and thoughtfully on the biggest climate stories of the day, delivering sharp analysis, fresh angles, and clear context for readers trying to understand what just happened — and why it matters.

We're eager to get someone in this role, so don't wait to get your application in. Grist is based in Seattle, but the job doesn’t have to be. We have staff around the country.

I might be biased, but Grist is a pretty special place to work. Come join us!

Competitive salary and amazing benefits.

Posted by: Katherine Bagley

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Grist is a nonprofit, independent media organization dedicated to reporting on climate change. Since 1999, we have used the power of journalism to engage the public about the perils of one of the most existential threats we face. We seek to document the often unequal impacts of climate change on communities in the United States and globally — as well as to show the promise of equitable climate solutions.

Over the past eight years, we have scaled from a largely Seattle-based team of 25-30 to a nationally distributed organization of ~50. Our vision is to ignite public urgency and action on climate change for a thriving planet that benefits everyone. We work toward our vision by creating thought-provoking journalism and multimedia storytelling that drive the climate change conversation. 

Grist’s journalism has been recognized with dozens of awards and nominations in recent years, including for general excellence from the National Magazine Award, the Edward R Murrow Awards, and the Online Journalism Awards. According to a fall 2025 survey, 100% of staff would recommend Grist to a friend.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Overview

Grist is seeking a reporter to anchor our daily and weekly coverage as driven by the news cycle. We're looking for someone who can move quickly and thoughtfully on the biggest climate stories of the day, delivering sharp analysis, fresh angles, and clear context for readers trying to understand what just happened — and why it matters. 

The reporter will pitch, report, and write stories on topics at the intersection of climate change, policy, politics, and culture. They will strive to connect the dots between what is happening in the world and a warming planet, providing context and clarity that help readers understand the pervasive impact climate change has on Americans’ lives. That might mean reporting on a federal climate policy rollback one day, then unpacking the climate messaging embedded in Bad Bunny’s Superbowl halftime show the next.

An early-career reporter who is driven by curiosity and urgency would thrive in this role. As would someone who is always mindful of equity issues that are often at the root of human-based climate stories, and the emerging solutions to the climate crisis.

What does this role look like in practice? You’ll generally write 5-7 stories per month, ranging from 600-1,500 words, with the possibility to work on a few enterprise projects per year, as opportunities arise. Grist is a small team, so you may also be asked to contribute to newsletters, collaborate on larger projects, appear in the occasional video, and represent Grist at conferences and workshops. 

The annual base pay for this position is between $65,000 - $72,000 depending on experience. Grist is based in Seattle, but the job doesn’t have to be. We have staff around the country. This position is represented by Pacific Northwest Newspaper Guild Local 37082 (“Grist NewsGuild”). 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conceive of, report, write, and produce stories of varying lengths on topics at the intersection of climate change, policy, politics, and culture
• Produce 5-7 stories per month, ranging from 600-1,500 words
• Translate important trends and news in climate change so readers can understand a warming planet’s impact on everyday lives
• Contribute to Grist’s newsletters, special packages, and other projects, as requested
• Be excited about sharing your methods and talents with your colleagues and learning about theirs 
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

• At least two years of relevant experience, preferably focused on climate, energy, and the environment (including fellowships, internships, or academic projects) 
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience
• Professional reporting experience, knowledge, and interest in climate
• A track record of covering stories of national importance and impact
• Experience finding sharp, provocative angles on the news of the day
• Comfort with magazine-style journalism
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, juggling multiple priorities and deadlines
• Comfort with technology, social media, and digital tools for journalism
• Proficiency with desktop writing tools and web technologies for news gathering and publishing
• Superior organizational skills and obsessive attention to details
• Ability to work independently, demonstrate good personal judgment, and exercise a commitment to ethical conduct toward sources, story subjects, and readers
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and writing skills
• Demonstrated poise, tact, diplomacy, and the ability to interact with individuals at all levels of the organization

And it sure would be nice if you also had:

• Excitement about exploring innovative and creative ways to tell stories in a fast-moving news environment
• A passion for helping Grist reach new audiences with climate news and information
• The ability to identify stories that will resonate with readers and demonstrate the intersectionality of climate change
• A keen sense of what people are talking about, and ability to monitor a wide variety of sources to stay on top of the zeitgeist
• Interest in, and ideas for, delivering news on non-Grist platforms like newsletters and social media

OUR HIRING PROCESS

Applicants must submit a resume and cover letter explaining why you’re a great fit for this position. 

Here’s what you can expect from our hiring process:

1. 30-minute prescreen interview with a member of our HR team
2. 60-minute Zoom interview with potential colleagues
3. 60-minute Zoom interview with hiring manager
4. 60-minute Zoom interview with department head

Candidates who are asked to submit a work as a part of the hiring process (i.e., writing test or case study) will be compensated $200.00.

If you have any questions or need to request an accommodation, please send an email to hr@grist.org.

BENEFITS

• Medical, dental and vision coverage paid 100% for Employee premiums and 85% for Dependent premiums
• Employer paid Basic Life, ADD, Travel Assistance, STD/LTD, EAPs
• Voluntary Insurance include Health, Dependent and Transit FSA, Life/ADD, Critical Illness and Accident Insurance
• Traditional and Roth 401k with matching (vested immediately)
• New Employee Remote Office Set-up reimbursement
• Monthly WiFi Stipend
• Alternative Transportation Reimbursement
• Fifteen paid holidays per year (which includes office closure between Dec 25 and Jan 1) plus five floating holidays and 3 summer days
• Generous paid leave including medical and family leave, parental leave, abortion leave, sabbatical leave and many other paid and unpaid leave programs
• Annual in-person all-staff retreat (subject to pandemic conditions)

Grist Magazine, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment, free of discrimination and harassment, where our staff can be their authentic selves. All of our employment decisions are based on business needs, without regard to race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other status protected by laws where we operate.