Correspondent, Justice Department

NPR•Columbia, WA

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

NPR’s award-winning Politics & Policy Desk delivers sophisticated, accessible coverage of the White House, Congress, the Supreme Court, the Department of Justice, national security, and the intersection of technology and political power. Our journalism is grounded in original reporting, breaking news delivered with context, and clear explanatory storytelling. Our work reaches millions of listeners and readers daily across Morning Edition, All Things Considered, NPR.org, Up First, and the NPR Politics Podcast. The Justice Department Correspondent leads NPR’s daily and enterprise coverage of the Department of Justice, federal law enforcement, and federal immigration jurisprudence and prosecutions. Based in Washington, D.C., this reporter is responsible for breaking significant news, cultivating institutional and frontline sources, and delivering analytical enterprise reporting that reveals how DOJ decisions impact governance, the rule of law, and communities across the country. The Politics & Policy Desk operates across audio, digital, and visual platforms. The correspondent evaluates the optimal narrative format for each story—whether an investigative data analysis, a live two-way on broadcast newsmagazines, an episode of the NPR Politics Podcast, or an explanatory digital feature. This is a union-represented role covered under the terms of a collective bargaining agreement with SAG-AFTRA. This is an NPR editorial role covered under the terms of the NPR Ethics Handbook. All editorial staff are bound by this guidance. Editorial staff is defined as staff members who play a role in shaping the journalistic or creative direction of NPR's content, including events.

Requirements

At least 5 years of professional journalism experience reporting on complex legal, governmental, or regulatory affairs at a national or regional level.
Demonstrated track record of reporting and writing accurate, contextual enterprise stories and breaking news on deadline.
Demonstrated ability to build and sustain professional source networks across institutional, agency, and community settings.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple overlapping stories and shifting deadlines with editorial sound judgment.
Proven ability to collaborate effectively within a fast-moving newsroom team, showing consistent respect for colleagues, diverse perspectives, and public radio member stations.
Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and work experience.

Nice To Haves

Proven beat-reporting experience covering the U.S. Department of Justice, federal courts, or federal immigration enforcement.
Experience communicating complex policy, legal, or political topics clearly and conversationally for broadcast, podcast, or live audio formats.
Established record of enterprise scoops and investigative reporting derived from original document analysis and agency sourcing.
Experience producing multiplatform content, including digital written features, podcast appearances, and visual/social explainers.

Responsibilities

Pitches, reports, and produces high-impact daily news spots, contextual enterprise pieces, and investigative stories on the Department of Justice, immigration enforcement, and federal legal policy.
Cultivates and maintains diverse, reliable source networks across government agencies, legal institutions, advocacy organizations, and impacted communities.
Analyzes complex court filings, regulatory decisions, and legislative proposals to deliver accurate, timely explanatory journalism.
Delivers live, unscripted reporting and conversational analysis on NPR newsmagazines (Morning Edition, All Things Considered), breaking news specials, podcasts, and member station programming.
Partners with desk editors, audio producers, and digital editors to package reporting effectively for broadcast, digital text, and multimedia platforms.
Gathers audio in the field, conducts recorded interviews, and assists in the editorial editing and audio production of pieces under tight deadlines.
Maintains absolute adherence to the NPR Ethics Handbook, legal standards, and factual accuracy guidelines across all platforms.
Completes essential administrative duties accurately and punctually, including source documentation, program summaries, assignment coordination, and travel/expense filing.