Job Description
Grist is seeking an Environmental Justice Fellow to join our Editorial team. This fellowship will run for six months, beginning Jan 31, 2022. The fellow will report to the articles editor.
With the mentorship and support of Grist’s editorial staff, the environmental justice fellow will report on the connections between social inequality and the environment. You will explore the ways in which the environmental movement can become more inclusive, especially in the current moment — and how communities of color are developing new ways to fight for cleaner air and water and safer neighborhoods. We’re especially interested in journalism that identifies communities and people working on homegrown solutions.
THE GRIST FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
As an environmental justice fellow at Grist, you will be a part of our larger fellowship program, which aims to provide a formative experience in a geographically distributed but tight-knit newsroom and professional development for early-career journalists. We will encourage full participation in staff discussions and meetings and seek input on issues large and small.
Fellows can be based anywhere in the United States. Global health conditions permitting, at a future date there may be opportunities to work out of Grist’s Seattle office or New York co-working space. All fellows who work remotely will be encouraged to report on stories in their home community.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Identify and pitch ideas for stories that look at the effects of climate change and pollution on marginalized communities — as well as what those communities are doing to protect themselves
Write multiple stories — quick news or analysis pieces — each week
Other duties, like research, web production, and fact-checking, may be assigned from time to time
Pitch and write one enterprise/feature story in the second half of your fellowship
Contribute periodically to larger projects
Qualifications
Four-year degree, or equivalent professional experience
Strong understanding of Grist’s brand
Demonstrated familiarity with environmental and climate justice
Demonstrated experience in research or reporting
Demonstrated comfort with writing on deadline
Ability to make a full-time, six-month commitment
Additional Information
BENEFITS
This fellowship is a paid, six-month opportunity ($3334/month) for early-career journalists
Fellows are eligible for Grist health benefits coverage, including medical, vision, and dental
Fellows come away with six months of solid newsroom experience, a body of clips, and fluency in climate and environmental justice issues
Fellows across Grist meet regularly as a cohort with members of the editorial staff to develop skills and content knowledge specific to climate journalism
Through our Newsroom Training Series, fellows are also trained on a range of crucial skills, from filing FOIA requests to audio/video script-writing
Fellows benefit from full integration into the workings of a busy and exciting nonprofit media organization
THE APPLICATION
Applicants must submit the following application materials. APPLICATIONS WITHOUT BOTH A RESUME AND COVER LETTER WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
Resume
Cover letter, including links to two writing samples. We are looking for a succinct, thoughtful cover letter that explains what you think are the most important environmental news and politics topics and stories to follow in the next six months — and why you're the right person to cover them for Grist. Please also include links to two writing samples within your cover letter (or alternatively, append them to the end of your cover letter).
SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS: PLEASE READ
Cover letters must be uploaded as a separate attachment via Smart Recruiter. Please include “Environmental Justice Fellow” in the document title. Incomplete applications will not be considered. FOR FELLOWSHIPS THAT BEGIN JANUARY 31 2022, PLEASE SUBMIT APPLICATIONS BY NOVEMBER 15, 2021.
No phone calls, please.
Cultivating an inclusive staff is central to Grist’s focus on advancing equity. We’re interested in hearing from people who can work with diverse colleagues of varied experience. Candidates of all backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. Grist is an equal-opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.