ProPublica is an independent, nonprofit newsroom that produces investigative journalism in the public interest. 

We're looking for a data editor who can set and execute an ambitious vision for the use of data analysis in the ProPublica newsroom. The editor will do this by guiding data journalists as they co-report our groundbreaking investigations; proactively identifying promising uses of data, including developing pitches and data-driven projects; and guarding against errors. We take on ambitious data projects, from analyzing past Ebola outbreaks linked to deforestation to predict future ones to showing how wealthy executives make millions on exquisitely timed trades and crunching data from millions of child protective services cases to understand who is most affected by the system. We want you to help us continue to innovate and elevate our use of data to do compelling, impactful journalism. 

As data editor you will:

  • Lead a distributed team of eight data journalists and a deputy working across the newsroom on high-impact investigations.
  • Proactively work to infuse a data mindset across the team and the broader staff by finding angles for data analysis and insights related to major issues of the day.
  • Help edit our most complex data stories and play a leading role in editing our data methodologies, ensuring that the language as well as the statistical work is accurate and well explained.
  • Maintain standards and best practices for storing, sharing and securing datasets.
  • Prioritize among dozens of projects and stories and think strategically about how to deploy the team across the organization.
  • Work with data reporters to develop project ideas and pitches while balancing the needs of the broader newsroom. 
  • Consider and, when appropriate, find ways of integrating AI into our data workflows.
  • Train staff members and partners on how to best use data analysis to elevate their stories.
  • Create effective workflows that ensure that projects are completed on schedule.
  • Execute a vision to keep pushing ProPublica’s data journalism forward and help us set the standard for the industry.

Our ideal candidate will have:

  • At least five years of leadership experience in coming up with data-driven investigations and projects, as well as overseeing and editing them.
  • Experience leading accountability journalism projects and can point to ways in which their analysis/editing elevated the work or prevented errors.
  • A data mindset that enables them to identify which datasets are relevant and the questions to ask of them.
  • Experience building an esprit de corps in a team, one that is grounded in motivating staff, helping them reach career goals and working together.
  • A strong belief that transparency and open sourcing are important parts of responsible data science. 
  • Strong knowledge of data analysis tools, including proficiency in using R or Python.
  • Training in statistics and experience applying complex statistical concepts in a newsroom are pluses. This means choosing models that are suitable to answering statistical questions as well as being able to explain them to readers.
  • Ability for occasional travel as required for staff retreats and other required events.

We also know that great candidates can bring skills to ProPublica that we haven’t thought of, and who won’t fit everything we’ve described above. If this is you, don’t hesitate to apply, and tell us what unique contributions you can offer.

This job is full time and includes benefits. ProPublica is based in New York, but the data team is distributed and we’re open to remote candidates for this role. Applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S.

The expected salary range for this position is $150,000 to $190,000.

This is a good-faith estimate of what we expect to pay for this position. The final salary figure will take into account a person’s experience, accomplishment and location. ProPublica is committed to paying its staff equitably, and these ranges should not be considered career salary limits or caps.

We will begin reviewing applications on August 26th, but we will continue to consider candidates as long as the posting remains live on our site.

Questions? Send an email to talent@propublica.org. 

No phone calls, please.

We know there are great candidates who may not fit into what we’ve described above or who have important skills we haven’t thought of. If that’s you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself.

We are dedicated to improving our newsroom, in part by better reflecting the people we cover. (Here is a breakdown of our staff.) We are committed to diversity and building an inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds and ages. And we are taking steps to meet that commitment. We especially encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including women, people of color, LGBTQ+ people and people with disabilities. We are an equal opportunity employer and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age or any other status protected under applicable law. 

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Additional Information 2024

We are committed to diversity and building an inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds and ages, and we’re taking steps to meet that commitment. We especially encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including women and people of color.
 
The following questions are part of our efforts to ensure that we have attracted a diverse pool of candidates. Your answers to these questions will in no way affect your chances of being hired.  We are an equal opportunity employer and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind.  All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, or any other status protected under applicable law. It's also completely fine to indicate that you do not wish to answer these questions, and it will in no way affect your chances of getting hired. 

If you're interested, see how our staff answered these questions in our latest diversity report.

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