Freelance Storyteller

Atlanta, GA

The editorial team at Progress Georgia is seeking a highly motivated freelance storyteller to contribute to our affiliate site. We are looking for someone with a passion for combating mis- and disinformation and uplifting progressive values through compelling storytelling and reporting. Ideal candidates have a strong background in journalism, research experience and an interest in developing accessible, authentic stories that best connect with Georgia’s most impacted communities.

This is an opportunity to help shape the progressive narrative at a critical moment in Georgia politics. Leadership PACs provide for unprecedented in-state electoral investments. “Election integrity” is the driving force for the attack on voting rights. 100% of the growth in the state is attributed to people of color. The future of Georgia is unrecognizable from its very recent past. We’re looking for a storyteller with experience covering these or related areas, and a demonstrated ability to help develop the most compelling stories at the heart of each.

You should be driven by an endless curiosity about the potential of Georgia’s future and excited to tackle the state’s biggest economic, social, and political challenges and the complexities that exist within them. You should have a good eye for surprising angles on stories and a knack for spotting the wider significance of a new development; you should also be a sharp line editor, good at structuring an argument, cutting superfluous material, and eliminating jargon. You should be allergic to commodity news, making sure every story either leads the conversation or contributes meaningfully to it. You’ll need to be able to work autonomously while coordinating and collaborating with colleagues across the state.

Pandemic permitting, you can work out of Progress Georgia’s office in Atlanta. You can be based remotely in the state of Georgia.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications and/or Broadcasting preferred
• Eligible to work in the United States
• 1-3 years of experience as a reporter, or related experience handling a wide array of stories with a strong focus on politics, and/or social justice coverage
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and Google Suite 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Investigative research experience
• A political junkie 
• A creative thinker and resourceful problem solver

We are seeking someone that:

• is detail-oriented specifically with stories that may require rapid response or quick turnaround;
• has a unique ability to make complex ideas and policies into relatable and understandable concepts that are accessible to the general public;  
• expresses enthusiasm around developing new content and find ways to captivate an audience with compelling stories; 
• is naturally inquisitive and has an ability to identify issues that may benefit from deeper investigation and insight;
• can build genuine relationships and create welcoming spaces that develop trust with people of many backgrounds and experiences;
• has an ability to work collaboratively and collegially with a team of fact checkers, copy editors, and Progress Georgia’s digital department; 
• has facility with headlines, subheads, captions, and other elements of story building and promotion;
• has a clear and engaging writing and editing style.

Responsibilities

• Covering news events and writing stories. 
• Researching information for accuracy, generating enterprising and relevant story ideas and following through the production and report of the same.
• Shooting on-the-ground content to accompany stories.
• Traveling to and reporting from various Georgia locations and gathering soundbytes for stories as needed (travel could be anywhere in the state).
• Presenting well-documented stories in an interesting manner while maintaining a high degree of professionalism and accuracy and exhibiting necessary persistence (within ethical guidelines) to obtain a story.
• Work closely with Progress Georgia’s art, production, research, copy editing and social teams.

Compensation and Time Commitment

• $1,000 per month 
• Contract 
• 4 articles per month

To apply please submit a CV, cover letter and any relevant links to previous work to info@progressga.org. Once you submit this application, we will then contact you with instructions to submit a writing sample following our guidelines.

Progress Georgia celebrates our differences. We do not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor. Women and Persons of Color are strongly encouraged to apply.