Senior National Reporter

The Narwhal

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Narwhal is hiring a Senior National Reporter to pursue ambitious journalism about the natural world in Canada. This role is for a reporter who can move between investigations, narrative features, analysis, and news to produce stories that might otherwise go untold. The ideal candidate has at least eight years of reporting experience and a strong track record of telling complicated stories beautifully and with care. They should have a firm grasp of environmental issues, Indigenous Rights in Canada, resource industries, and climate science, and how these issues connect with communities and people. A strong understanding of federal policy related to the environment, climate change, biodiversity, agriculture, and development, as well as the relationships between Canada’s federal government and other entities, is also crucial. Beyond reporting, the candidate will contribute to a collaborative newsroom, acting as a mentor for other reporters, providing guidance, sharing knowledge, supporting team processes, and upholding The Narwhal’s values. This role requires a high level of responsibility and clear leadership.

Requirements

• Minimum eight years of reporting experience or equivalent
• Demonstrated experience in investigative and field-based reporting
• Experience reporting on climate, environment, energy, biodiversity, Indigenous Rights, conservation, land use or related topics
• Extensive experience reporting in and about diverse or underrepresented communities
• Extensive experience producing stories that incorporate multiple perspectives and avoid binary framing
• Experience working in a collaborative newsroom, including remote and cross-functional teams
• Strong writing skills across news, features and investigative work
• Strong research and investigative skills, including freedom of information processes, data analysis and public records research
• Demonstrated success building and maintaining a source network, with an emphasis on diversity across geography, lived experience and background
• Strong understanding of environment, climate, biodiversity, energy and policy issues
• Strong understanding of federal environmental and climate policy, and the relationships between Canada’s federal government, provinces, First Nations, Inuit and Métis governments and communities, the Unites States and international players
• Working understanding of Indigenous Rights and issues and a demonstrated commitment to ongoing learning and relationship-based reporting
• Familiarity with solutions journalism and trauma-informed journalism practices
• Demonstrates a mastery of The Narwhal’s style of journalism, editorial focus and tone, including “complicating the narrative” and reporting that bridges divides of all varieties
• Strong communication, organization and time management skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative, distributed team
• Proficiency with digital newsroom tools and content management systems
• Experience providing mentorship to peers and less experienced journalists
• Demonstrates an understanding of how reporting supports The Narwhal’s non-profit funding model and related audience goals

Responsibilities

• Research, develop and produce high-quality journalism, including long-form features, news, investigations, video and other multimedia
• Exhibits a mastery of a specific beat(s), superior judgement and ability to break stories and get scoops
• Consistently produce a minimum of three published pieces per month
• Deliver impactful in-depth reporting, including at least six investigations and/or on-the-ground stories annually
• Manage multiple leads and assignments, prioritize effectively and meet deadlines
• Generate original story ideas aligned with editorial priorities, while also enthusiastically taking on assignments from their bureau chief and other handling editors
• Contribute to cross-team projects or cross-newsroom collaborations or co-publications
• Use freedom of information systems and public data to support reporting
• Build, develop and maintain a network of diverse sources
• Keep organized records of reporting materials and files in designated team folders
• Coordinate with photojournalists, including on travel for reporting trips
• Attend in-person conferences, legislative sessions, press conferences, interviews, etc., as required
• Ensure reporting is factually accurate and meets legal and editorial standards
• Source images and load articles to the website, as required
• Produce reporting that consistently delivers exceptional impact, such as: use by experts; republication; collaboration with other media outlets; invitations to panels and broadcast shows; policy discussion and change
• Support audience goals and engagement initiatives, newsletters, including webinars, member and community events
• Provide mentorship and guidance to other reporters
• Share knowledge, tools and reporting best practices with the team, including occasionally leading staff workshops and training
• Foster a collaborative work environment by sharing ideas and credit generously
• Lead and support team processes and internal systems
• Stay updated on journalism best practices and industry standards, pursue ongoing professional development, sharing insights and recommendations to improve team and editorial processes
• Provide editorial support in the absence of a bureau chief, as required

Benefits

• Group health, vision and dental benefits and a health spending account
• A flexible workplace with a vibrant, collaborative culture
• Work-from-home stipend or from a shared office in Victoria, Vancouver or Toronto
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• GRSP base contributions after three months
• 20 vacation days per year, your birthday off
• 10 personal days per year
• Organization-wide holiday shutdown
• Professional development opportunities and fund

What This Job Offers

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