Economic Inequality Reporter

Job Description

Honolulu Civil Beat seeks a reporter to focus on the many facets of economic inequality in the islands related to class, race and immigration status. In watchdog and investigative stories, this reporter would seek to expose the hardships of Hawaii that most tourists never see, the shortcomings in the social welfare system the government prefers to keep hidden, and the untold stories – from health care to housing, transportation to jobs – about what it’s like to live poor in paradise.

The job:

• Report and write accountability stories about the people and systems that have failed to offer all Hawaii residents the opportunity to meet their basic needs.
• Use data to highlight inequities and uncover how government programs – public health, public housing, public transit, etc. – fail to serve those who need help the most.
• Become an expert in employment laws and practices in Hawaii, exposing mistreatment and opportunism related to low-wage workers.
• Uncover scams and schemes that target the poor.
• Partner with other Civil Beat reporters on watchdog topics that overlap with their beats, such as education, economy, environment and local government.
• Collaborate on creative approaches to storytelling with audience and visual journalists.

Job Requirements

You’re a good fit if:

• You have a demonstrated commitment to watchdog journalism, with an eye for identifying stories that lead to change.
• You have at least three years of reporting experience, a track record of building trust with underserved communities and preferably some advanced data skills.
• You can juggle quick-turn and long-term stories and still meet deadlines.
• You have a collaborative spirit and want to work with a team.

What you’ll get:

• The opportunity to work alongside award-winning journalists and make significant contributions to Hawaii’s top nonprofit digital newsroom.
• Highly competitive salary -- $75,000 to $90,000 -- with free staff medical and dental insurance.
• 6 weeks paid time off.
• Up to 12 weeks of parental family leave, with return-to-work flexibility.
• 401(k) with 6% company matching.
• Support for professional training and attending industry conferences.

Relocation Benefit & Housing Purchase Option:

• Relocation Benefit – Civil Beat offers a generous relocation benefit for hired candidates outside of Hawaii
• Hawaii Housing Assistance Purchase Option – Civil Beat offers the ability to apply for assistance in purchasing a home in Hawaii. This option is not guaranteed – Application and Approval required (Length of service minimum; as well as other criteria.)

How to APPLY:

• Your resume + a cover letter that includes:
  • Why you are interested in being part of the Civil Beat newsroom.
  • A brief pitch for a story that you’d dream of covering.
  • Two links to reporting samples you are proud of with a couple of sentences explaining why.
  • Names and contact information of three references, telling us what aspect of your work they can best address.
• Email cover letter & resume to: apply@civilbeat.org

About Civil Beat + Hawaii:

Honolulu Civil Beat is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt news organization dedicated to cultivating an informed body of citizens, all striving to make Hawaii a better place to live. We achieve this through investigative and watchdog journalism, in-depth enterprise reporting, analysis and commentary that gives readers a broad view on issues of importance to our community. Hawaii is an island state, with a population of 1.4 million people spread between the eight main Hawaiian Islands. Oahu, with about a million people, is the most densely populated and holds the capital city of Honolulu. Hawaii is a unique environment, a mix of highly developed urban and sparsely populated rural areas with America’s most multicultural mix of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and mainland transplants including a large military presence. Our mix of investigative, watchdog and deep-dive explanatory journalism has led to fundamental changes in Hawaii law, policies and practices as well as positive social change in the community.

We’re committed to building an inclusive newsroom that represents the people and communities we serve in the nation’s most diverse state. We especially encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply for this position, including women, people of color, LGBTQ people and people who are differently abled.

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