Environment reporter

About the role

Spotlight PA and Grist are seeking an environment reporter to cover the impacts of climate change in Pennsylvania. The ideal candidate will explore the intersectionality of a warming planet with land use, business, energy, water, policy decisions, environmental justice, health, and solutions to the climate crisis.

The remote reporter will be based at Spotlight PA, a statewide nonprofit newsroom headquartered in Harrisburg with a track record of award-winning investigative and in-depth journalism. This position can be located anywhere in Pennsylvania, and the reporter’s stories will also be periodically adapted for a national audience and republished on Grist.org.

Pennsylvania sits at the center of major climate debates, remaining one of the largest producers of fossil fuels despite pledges to expand renewable energy. Climate change is already impacting Pennsylvanians, and this role offers an opportunity to tell untold stories about its effects on the state while approaching the beat from a solutions lens.

Responsibilities

• Balance iterative and feature reporting, producing at least two to four stories per month.
• Identify areas for regular coverage (e.g., state climate committee actions, climate-related legislation, or regulations from the Department of Environmental Protection).
• Propose, conceive, and execute enterprise stories that delve beneath the surface of complex environmental and climate issues.
• Write with depth and nuance about topics with real impact in Pennsylvania.
• Pursue investigative stories when relevant topics arise.
• Collaborate with colleagues and engage in team-based projects.
• Use journalism engagement practices to serve audiences effectively.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism or a related field.
• Three or more years of reporting experience.
• Demonstrated news judgment, ethics, and creative storytelling approaches.
• Ability to produce deeply reported, well-written stories incorporating data and narrative elements.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Enthusiasm for digital reporting and comfort using content management systems, social media, and project management platforms.
• Ability to respond constructively to feedback and thrive in a collaborative, deadline-driven environment.

Digital reporting/writing experience is preferred. A portfolio submission or writing assignment may be part of the interview process.

Benefits

• This is a Guild position with a salary range of $65,000 to $75,000.

Spotlight PA and Grist are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture. Members of underrepresented communities—including women, people of color, veterans, LGBTQ+ people, and individuals with disabilities—are strongly encouraged to apply.