News Team Staff Researcher (Remote)

The Position

Ballotpedia is seeking a full-time, 100% remote Staff Researcher to join our News Team. 

The News Team is responsible for identifying and capturing mission-related news events to provide audiences with clear, accurate, and impartial political information. We track and update readers on hard-to-find items, from state legislative candidate declarations and unscheduled officeholder transitions, to minor political party ballot status across the United States and its territories. We strive to provide any interested party with the details that comprise our complex political landscape.

A successful staff researcher will be passionate and knowledgeable about politics. They will be comfortable conducting and organizing extensive research using various media, political websites, and official government sources. They must have the ability to distill complex topics into neutral and concise information for a variety of audiences. They will also be comfortable producing work under regular deadlines and flexible enough to reprioritize work when unexpected events unfold in the political world. 

A strong candidate for this role will have a driving desire for accuracy, completeness, innovation, and neutrality. They will demonstrate excellent writing and proofreading skills, as well as a passion for improvement and innovation. Constructive feedback is welcome and taken as an opportunity for growth. The candidate should be comfortable researching obscure information online and conducting direct outreach to government officials as needed. An ideal candidate will also be eager to collaborate within the News Team and across Ballotpedia’s other departments. 

Responsibilities

As a News Team Staff Researcher, you will:

• Monitor a specific list of sources to identify breaking news updates, including media and political websites, and official government sources
• Update relevant articles based on identified stories
• Work extensively within Ballotpedia’s database to track and update information
• Ensure data accuracy on-site and in the database
• Conduct regular reviews (or “sweeps”) of lists of officeholders and candidates at the federal, state, and local levels of government to ensure Ballotpedia’s data is accurate
• Follow carefully laid out processes, systems, and procedures as assigned by editors and supervisors
• Generate content about complex topics in a neutral, clear, and concise manner
• Conduct systematic research to collect data related to officeholders, candidates, and elections. Data points will include but are not limited to campaign or official website addresses, social media handles, and upcoming election dates
• Proofread content effectively, efficiently, and consistently
• Interact with co-workers, customers, and the media in a professional, helpful, and pleasant manner
• Conduct research about jurisdictions not currently receiving detailed coverage on Ballotpedia for potential inclusion on our site and in our database
• Complete designated tracking spreadsheets to capture the number and types of updates that are made over time

Skills and Qualifications

An ideal News Team Staff Researcher will possess:

• A demonstrated passion for Ballotpedia’s mission
• Knowledge of the United States' political system and elections 
• Experience working with databases and spreadsheets
• Experience in writing and/or editing (with experience as a professional writer and/or editor preferred) 
• Superb organizational skills and a focus on detail
• Self-awareness and a drive toward constant improvement
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• A desire to work collaboratively with Ballotpedia staff from multiple departments
• Strong project management skills and the ability to multitask, set priorities, and follow through
• A drive for innovation and flexibility, and an ability to identify and solve problems proactively
• A willingness to work periodic evenings and weekends
• Interest in or experience using AI tools to increase productivity

Environment

The News Team Staff Researcher will work remotely from their home location. All Ballotpedia staff work remotely. To join Ballotpedia, you must have a computer with Internet access. Ballotpedia utilizes Google Suite (Gmail, Google Calendar, Drive, and more), Slack, and Asana to achieve our goals. Some familiarity with the Google Suite, Slack, and Asana is helpful.

Ballotpedia offers a flexible work environment, BP Flex, which allows every employee to enjoy unlimited vacation and flexibility in scheduling. Each employee will be oriented to the principles of Ballotpedia’s flexible environment during new employee training.

Compensation

The starting pay range for the News Team Staff Researcher is $42,500-$44,000, commensurate with experience.

In addition to salary, Ballotpedia offers an annual benefits stipend equivalent to $8,000 that is paid out in equal increments in each paycheck once an employee becomes benefits eligible. The stipend may be used to pay for a full benefits package, including health, vision, and dental insurance; retirement accounts; and more. If benefits are not elected, the stipend is taxed as regular income and added to salary. 

To Apply

To apply, click on ‘Apply for this job’ below and fill out the form. Please attach the following in PDF format if possible:

• résumé
• cover letter detailing your interest in Ballotpedia’s mission/this position
• neutral writing sample (under five pages), included in the same file as your cover letter

Please ensure that either your résumé or your cover letter includes your current address.

Please note that if you are hired for this position, Ballotpedia participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Ballotpedia is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9. For more information on E-Verify, or if you believe that your employer has violated its E-Verify responsibilities, please contact DHS.

About Ballotpedia

Ballotpedia is a mission-driven organization dedicated to providing Americans with accurate, relevant, and unbiased information about politics, elections, and public policy. Our mission is to ensure that the only unknown on your ballot is who gets your vote. We value innovation, humility, intellectual curiosity, drive, and a collaborative spirit and are committed to continuously improving our offerings to better serve our audiences, readers, and candidates.