Investigative Data Journalist: Public Records & Datasets

WRTV; Indianapolis, Northern (IN, KY); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Circle City Broadcasting in Indianapolis is seeking a Digital Investigative Journalist (Data & Public Records) to join our newsroom. You will dig through court filings, government data, and open records to uncover stories behind the headlines and support digital and on-air investigators with deep research and verified data.

This role rewards curiosity, meticulous verification, and the ability to translate complex findings into clear, compelling content across platforms.

Qualifications

• Experience in journalism, investigative reporting, or data journalism.
• Newspaper-style reporting background preferred.
• Proven ability to work with public records, court documents, and government data.
• Strong research, verification, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency with spreadsheets (Excel/Google Sheets); familiarity with SQL, Python is a plus.
• Knowledge of FOIA/public records request processes.

Responsibilities

• Identify and develop story ideas through deep research, data analysis, and document review.
• Acquire information through public records requests, court filings, government databases, and open-source reporting.
• Review and analyze large volumes of documents to uncover trends and investigations.
• Work with digital and on-air journalists to support investigative and enterprise stories.
• Build and maintain datasets to support ongoing reporting.
• Clearly document sources, methodology, and findings.

Skills

Investigative journalism

Data journalism

Public records research

Data analysis

Attention to detail

Multitasking

Communication skills

Tools

Excel/Google Sheets

SQL

Python

Tableau

AI tools

Job description

Circle City Broadcasting in Indianapolis is seeking a Digital Investigative Journalist (Data & Public Records) to join our newsroom. You will dig through court filings, government data, and open records to uncover stories behind the headlines and support digital and on-air investigators with deep research and verified data.

This role rewards curiosity, meticulous verification, and the ability to translate complex findings into clear, compelling content across platforms.