Investigative Reporter

Hearst • Houston, TX

7d

About The Position

The Houston Chronicle is hiring an investigative reporter for its award-winning investigations team, the largest team of its kind in Texas. The reporter will shape their own beat and collaborate across the newsroom on accountability journalism that serves readers, answers important questions, calls attention to problems, finds answers, and tracks solutions. Potential topic areas include state and local government accountability, suburban growth and development, the oil and gas industry, healthcare, and criminal justice.

The role is part of the local investigative reporting team, which has received national recognition for its impact and scope. The reporter will pitch, report, and produce consequential coverage; own follow-up reporting and updates on key investigations; and collaborate with editorial, visual, audience, and data colleagues to present work in engaging formats across platforms. The position reports to the Senior Director of Investigations.

Requirements

• At least five years producing original accountability stories with major impact on laws, lives, and hearts.
• Strong familiarity with Texas and the ability to identify investigative opportunities and pursue them quickly, rigorously, and fairly.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, juggle priorities, and write with clarity, care, and precision.
• Investigative reporting skills, including working with data and filing public-records requests at local, state, and federal levels.
• Demonstrated ability to find audiences across platforms using varied story formats and social media.
• Experience scripting and producing videos to accompany or enhance written investigations.
• Ability to build data visualizations and databases to bring complex stories to life.

Responsibilities

• Pitch, report, and produce coverage that drives conversation and influences how the region’s power brokers make decisions and exert their influence.
• Own subsequent reporting, impact coverage, and updates around key investigative storylines.
• Collaborate with reporters, editors, visual journalists, and audience colleagues to elevate accountability and high-impact reporting, engage core audiences, and attract new subscribers.
• Work with visual, audience, and data colleagues to present investigations in new and engaging formats beyond traditional print storytelling.
• Produce exclusive coverage that has impact, drives conversation, attracts new audiences, and retains core audiences.
• Publish at a cadence that regularly delivers exclusive, must-read impact and accountability reporting.
• Turn major accountability stories into quick-turn investigations or develop them into long-term rolling series.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed