Data Journalist

National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ); Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 85,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks a passionate data journalist to create impactful, data-driven stories that illuminate complex issues affecting Minnesota. In this dynamic role, you'll produce visualizations and dashboards, collaborate with a talented newsroom, and innovate with new tools, including AI. Your work will enhance public understanding of critical topics like health, education, and the economy, while also expanding the reach of high-quality journalism. If you thrive in a collaborative environment and are eager to make a difference, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Benefits

Health insurance (80% for employees)

Dental insurance (80% premium coverage)

401(k) employer match up to 3%

Monthly phone stipend

Generous time off (15 vacation days)

Paid family leave (100% up to 8 weeks)

Short-term disability insurance

Life insurance

Vision insurance options

Long-term disability insurance options

Qualifications

• At least 3 years of experience in data-driven journalism.
• Outstanding data analysis skills and experience with public data.

Responsibilities

• Produce data-driven stories and visualizations on complex issues.
• Collaborate with reporters and editors to enhance storytelling.

Skills

Data Analysis

Data Visualization

Google Sheets/Excel

Communication Skills

AI Tools for Data Analysis

Project Management

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Journalism or related field

Tools

Datawrapper

Excel

Job description

MinnPost

Contact Email: [e-mail]

635 9th St SE #220
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States 55414

Web: minnpost.com

Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

Postal Code: 55414

Job Category: Newspapers, Online | New Media

Salary: 85000 USD per year

Posted: 01.29.2025

Job Description

MinnPost is hiring a data journalist to produce distinctive, data-driven stories, visualizations, dashboards, and other content that enhance readers’ understanding of complex issues affecting Minnesota.

We’re looking for someone whose reporting and analysis will hold those in power to account and illuminate and explain stories on state and local government on topics including the economy, housing, health, education, poverty, transportation, elections, the environment, public safety, and more. We’re also looking for someone who can help the MinnPost newsroom innovate and embrace new tools, including AI, to better serve readers.

This journalist will frequently collaborate with our reporters on both quick-turn and in-depth stories that add context and insight while uncovering trends and key developments. But they will also have time and space for solo stories and projects, contributing to MinnPost’s efforts to improve Minnesotans’ access to high-quality journalism and equip them to make better decisions. Through republication partnerships, outside appearances on other media, and occasional MinnPost events, this writer’s work will help grow MinnPost’s reach and impact while solidifying our place in the broader Minnesota media ecosystem as the trusted, go-to source for in-depth, explanatory journalism.

The data journalist will be expected to regularly engage with colleagues and editors, contributing to a collaborative team keen on ensuring our stories engage readers on multiple platforms. We’re looking for someone who has experience juggling and successfully executing both long and short-term projects. MinnPost is a member of the Institute for Nonprofit News (INN), Local Independent Online News (LION) Publishers, and the Minnesota Newspaper Association (MNA), and we’re excited about the possibility for this journalist to connect with other newsrooms on data projects.

In this role, you will:

• Generate ideas, plan and execute both long-term and quick-turn data-driven stories and projects
• Seek out existing data sources, make data requests and conduct interviews for data-driven stories
• Scrape, clean and analyze data; create data visualizations
• Collaborate with reporters and editors at MinnPost and occasionally with external partners on editorial projects
• Work with editors to teach and encourage best practices in data journalism in the newsroom
• Outstanding data analysis skills and experience finding and requesting public data
• Demonstrated mastery of Google Sheets/Excel, Datawrapper, and other data analysis and visualization tools
• At least three years of experience creating data-driven journalism
• Experience applying AI tools for data analysis and other reporting tasks
• Solid writing and excellent communication skills, including the ability to explain complex issues and ideas to colleagues and readers
• Ability to multitask and work on deadline, turning stories quickly when necessary
• Self-starting, proactive attitude and a track record of collaborating with colleagues

There are great candidates who might not check all these boxes or who hold important skills we haven’t listed. Don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself.

To better reflect the communities we serve, we seek to recruit staff members from many backgrounds and with diverse identities. We strongly encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including people of color, LGBTQ+ people, and people with disabilities.

This position’s minimum starting salary is $85,000. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States. The position is based in Minnesota, with a preference for the Twin Cities. Candidates currently located outside of Minnesota would need to relocate within six months.

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement with TNG-CWA 37002, the Minnesota Newspaper & Communications Guild.

• Health insurance (80% for employees / 50% for partners or dependents)
• Dental insurance with employer paying 80% of premiums for employees
• 401(k) dollar-for-dollar employer match up to 3% for all 401(k) contributions or eligible student loan payments
• Monthly phone stipend
• Generous time off: 15 days vacation per year to start, 8 paid holidays, 4 floating holidays, 12 days sick time
• Paid birthing person health leave (100% up to 6 weeks) and paid family leave (100% up to 8 weeks)
• Short-term disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Options for employee-paid, vision, long-term disability, and supplemental life insurance

We’re committed to maintaining a healthy work-life balance and providing a place for staff to feel supported in their professional growth and achieve ambitious goals.

The priority deadline is Feb 9, 2025. Applications submitted after the priority deadline will be reviewed on a rolling basis.