Data Storyteller

Virga Labs is a woman-owned, mission-driven water and natural resource consulting firm based in Tucson, Arizona. We build integrated modeling, analysis, and data visualization tools that demystify complex problems at the intersection of water, climate, and society. We believe that the democratization of data, paired with artful design, inspires creativity and empowers change agents to build a resilient future.

About the role

We're seeking a Data Storyteller to serve as the narrative bridge between our technical findings and the audiences who need to understand them. You will translate complex data and scientific results into clear, compelling stories while partnering closely with our Creative Director and technical delivery team to ensure every project tells a story with its data, not just visualizes it.

You ensure our sophisticated data and technical work lands with real audiences by giving it a narrative throughline. Your storytelling craft transforms technical and scientific findings into stories that drive understanding and action, and helps the wider team build stronger narrative instincts over time.

Responsibilities

• Own the narrative strategy for client projects, from initial data exploration through final delivery, shaping the story arc for each engagement
• Translate technical and scientific data into clear, audience-appropriate stories, working closely with the technical delivery team throughout
• Partner with the Creative Director and technical delivery team on how data should be structured and visualized, bringing a narrative point of view to those decisions
• Review and shape work in progress to ensure storytelling quality and consistency across all projects
• Share storytelling techniques and feedback with the technical delivery team as Virga takes on new kinds of projects, building collective storytelling craft over time
• Contribute to how Virga Labs pitches and scopes storytelling-heavy engagements with clients and prospects

Requirements

• Professional experience in data journalism, science journalism/writing, or a closely related narrative-driven data field
• Demonstrated ability to build a compelling narrative from a dataset, not just visualize it
• Working understanding of data — able to read, question, and interpret datasets without needing to build the pipeline
• Comfortable working in a small, collaborative team and giving/receiving feedback on in-progress creative work
• Experience with science, environmental, or policy storytelling preferred; prior water/climate experience is a plus but not required

Schedule

Full-time position with collaborative team environment. Occasional travel for client engagements and industry events.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance (individual premiums paid by Virga Labs)
• 401(k) plan
• 16 paid holidays per year
• Flexible vacation policy
• Professional development opportunities

Pay

Salary: Competitive, based on experience and education. Remote work from Arizona or Colorado (Washington state also considered); exceptional candidates outside these states may be considered. Company-provided business tools and software licenses.

Start Date: As soon as September 2026

Why you'll love working here

• Play a crucial role in solving critical water and climate challenges
• Work at the intersection of science, policy, and technology
• Opportunity to become a recognized expert in water and climate issues
• Collaborative, mission-driven team environment where your ideas are valued
• Direct impact on meaningful projects that benefit communities and the environment
• Professional growth opportunities in a rapidly expanding field