Staff Writer, FactCheck.org

University of Pennsylvania

9d•$76,000 - $80,000•Hybrid

About The Position

FactCheck.org is a nonpartisan project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania. Established in 2003, FactCheck.org aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics. SciCheck, a project of FactCheck.org, focuses exclusively on false and misleading claims about science and health. It was launched in January 2015. This new staff writer position requires a reporter with strong experience covering health care policy. The writer will research and write articles for FactCheck.org’s SciCheck project, as well as FactCheck.org’s core political coverage. The writer must have strong research skills and the ability to write clearly and concisely on complex topics, work independently, collaborate well with others, meet deadlines, and juggle multiple assignments at once. The staff writer will monitor statements from major political players and political health policy appointees and write articles on the factual accuracy of their claims concerning federal health programs, health policy legislation, public health and related topics, as well as other political claims unrelated to health care. The position requires experience covering these issues, and knowledge of the legislative process. In the upcoming midterm elections, the focus will be on campaign themes concerning health policy and other claims made in key Senate races. FactCheck.org reporters often cover a wide range of subject matter as needed.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree
Five to seven years of experience in journalism minimum, including strong experience writing about health care policy
Ability to write clearly, concisely and accurately on complicated subjects
Ability to work with statistics and other quantitative research
Ability to work on multiple projects on deadline
Knowledge of the federal legislative process
Knowledge of WordPress or similar content management system

Nice To Haves

Background/education in science or public health a plus
Experience writing about scientific topics a plus

Responsibilities

Research and report on federal health care policy and public health issues, as well as general political topics.
Write clearly and concisely, explaining why statements made by politicians and political appointees are inaccurate.
Write explanatory articles that distill complex issues for a general audience.
Monitor various forms of communication by federal officeholders and identify statements based on facts to be researched.
Monitor federal campaign messaging to identify health care and other political claims and common themes.
Identify and use the best evidence – i.e., appropriate expert sources, government and independent analyses, scientific research.
Collaborate on stories with multiple bylines.
Collaborate on creating social media posts.
Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.