Fact Checker/Editor

Founded in 1981 in partnership with whistleblowers, the Project On Government Oversight (POGO) is a nonpartisan independent watchdog that works to expose waste, corruption, abuse of power, and other instances where the government fails to serve the public. We champion reforms to achieve a more effective, ethical, and accountable federal government that safeguards constitutional principles. POGO has an over $7 million annual budget that supports a staff of over 50 employees.

About the role

The Fact Checker/Editor will help ensure POGO’s written products advance our mission to expose corruption and abuse of power in the federal government and promote solutions. The selected candidate will work closely with POGO staff to ensure that work published on our website is accurate, fair, clear, well structured, and nonpartisan. This position reports to the Editorial Director.

Responsibilities

• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, often under tight deadlines.
• Review, assess, and provide feedback to ensure POGO’s written projects are accurate, fair, clear, and nonpartisan.
• Assist as needed with proofreading.
• Assist as needed with maintaining POGO’s style guide.
• Collaborate with POGO’s writers to help their ideas and stories succeed.
• Brainstorm, develop, and implement ways to ensure that POGO’s written products reflect the organization’s commitment to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Maintain close collaboration and communication with other editorial team members.
• Maintain understanding of best practices in fact checking and editing through regular professional development.

Requirements

• Four years of experience fact checking or researching for a newsroom, nonprofit, or other content-producing organization.
• Demonstrated experience editing a range of different content types and the ability to fact check a range of work including emails, op-eds, testimony, reports, breaking news investigations.
• Knowledge of AP style.
• Commitment to accuracy, nonpartisanship, and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated commitment to working in a collaborative, respectful manner demonstrating a strong commitment to POGO’s justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion principles.
• Demonstrated track record of taking initiative to solve problems and adapt to changing circumstances.
• Ability to manage confidential information with discretion.

Qualifications

• Familiarity with US federal government policy, structure, and operations preferred.
• Familiarity with general principles and best practices for public sector transparency and accountability preferred.

Benefits

• Competitive nonprofit salary in the range of $68K–$80K.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• 403(b) employee investment plan available, with employer contribution once eligible.
• Life insurance, short-term and long-term disability coverage.
• Paid holiday, vacation, and sick leave.

Schedule

This is a full-time, nonexempt, at-will position. The role is grant-funded for a period of one year, with continued employment contingent upon the receipt of direct grant funds. Remote work is eligible from anywhere within the United States, provided availability during POGO’s work hours of 9 AM–6 PM EST.