Staff Writer, FactCheck.org

Job Description Summary

FactCheck.org is a nonpartisan project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania. Established in 2003, FactCheck.org aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics.

SciCheck, a project of FactCheck.org, focuses exclusively on false and misleading claims about science and health. It was launched in January 2015.

This new staff writer position requires a reporter with strong experience covering health care policy. The writer will research and write articles for FactCheck.org's SciCheck project, as well as FactCheck.org's core political coverage. The writer must have strong research skills and the ability to write clearly and concisely on complex topics, work independently, collaborate well with others, meet deadlines, and juggle multiple assignments at once.

The staff writer will monitor statements from major political players and political health policy appointees and write articles on the factual accuracy of their claims concerning federal health programs, health policy legislation, public health and related topics, as well as other political claims unrelated to health care. The position requires experience covering these issues, and knowledge of the legislative process.

In the upcoming midterm elections, the focus will be on campaign themes concerning health policy and other claims made in key Senate races. FactCheck.org reporters often cover a wide range of subject matter as needed.

Job Responsibilities

• Research and report on federal health care policy and public health issues, as well as general political topics.
• Write clearly and concisely, explaining why statements made by politicians and political appointees are inaccurate.
• Write explanatory articles that distill complex issues for a general audience.
• Monitor various forms of communication by federal officeholders and identify statements based on facts to be researched.
• Monitor federal campaign messaging to identify health care and other political claims and common themes.
• Identify and use the best evidence - i.e., appropriate expert sources, government and independent analyses, scientific research.
• Collaborate on stories with multiple bylines. Collaborate on creating social media posts.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Term/funding

This is a new, limited-term position for three years. Continuation of the position beyond three years is contingent on project funding, organizational needs, and performance.

Work Schedule

This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule, with in-person work on the University of Pennsylvania campus in Philadelphia required on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday each week. Fully remote applicants will not be considered.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree
• Five to seven years of experience in journalism minimum, including strong experience writing about health care policy
• Ability to write clearly, concisely and accurately on complicated subjects
• Ability to work with statistics and other quantitative research
• Ability to work on multiple projects on deadline
• Knowledge of the federal legislative process
• Knowledge of WordPress or similar content management system
• Background/education in science or public health a plus
• Experience writing about scientific topics a plus

Pay Type

Full-time

Hours per week

40

Pay

Salary range: $76,000-$80,000

Application Requirements

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Three Writing Samples

Job Location

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Annenberg School for Communication

Pay Range

$76,000.00 - $80,000.00 Annual Rate