Senior Investigative Reporter

Project On Government Oversight

Senior Investigative Reporter at POGO identifying underreported issues in federal policy and oversight. Focus on election subversion, war profiteering, and challenges faced by marginalized communities.

Posted 6/24/2026full-timeRemote • Washington • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $85,000 - $100,000 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Cultivating sources who can provide investigative leads
Working with the Vice President of Investigations and other colleagues to identify prospective investigations
Conducting preliminary investigations into promising leads
Developing and executing thorough investigative plans
Managing investigative projects by assigning tasks to researchers, fellows, interns
Authoring accurate, concise, and balanced reporting to be published on POGO’s website and on/in third party websites/publications
Adhering to publication and production timelines, as well as editorial requirements and policies
Presenting original investigative findings to POGO’s policy team
Engaging in follow-up activities, including drafting press pitches and social media content
Assisting in developing funding proposals to support investigations
Mentoring more junior investigators, researchers, fellows and interns
Other duties as required to accomplish POGO’s mission.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Minimum of eight years of experience as an investigator, journalist or demonstrated equivalent experience
Must be able to work independently and collaboratively, with well-developed time and project management skills
Ability to maintain and continuously expand network of professional contacts and sources
A keen eye and ear for storytelling, especially around complex subject matter with accountability in mind
Excellent editorial judgment with respect to journalistic ethics and libel laws
Able to think critically and apply POGO’s previous work/policy positions to new issue areas
Excellent interpersonal and interview skills, and the ability to work effectively with colleagues, media organizations, and government officials
Well-organized with a strong attention to detail
Experience successfully managing team projects
Demonstrable track record of taking initiative to solve problems and adapt to changing circumstances
Committed to working in a nonpartisan manner with diverse stakeholders and policy makers
Able to work independently when necessary, multitask, take direction, and meet strict deadlines
Works respectfully and collaboratively with POGO staff, and demonstrates a strong commitment to POGO’s justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) values
Strong research skills, including the ability to effectively use government and other open-data sources
Familiarity with federal government policy, structure, and operations preferred
Prior reporting on election interference, war profiteering, and/or regulatory capture preferred.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Health, dental, and vision insurance
403(b) employee investment plan available, with employer retirement contribution once eligible
Life insurance, short-term and long-term disability coverage
Paid holiday, vacation, and sick leave

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

investigative researchreport writingproject managementdata analysisstorytellingeditorial judgmentcritical thinkingproblem-solvingteam managementnetworking

Soft Skills

interpersonal skillscommunication skillsattention to detailcollaborationindependencetime managementadaptabilityinitiativementoringnonpartisan approach