Inspired Life Reporter

Application Instructions

Please list all professional experience and explain any gaps in employment history. All of your application materials, which may include PDF files of work samples and/or links to audio, video, photography or graphics, must be uploaded to the field labeled Resume/Cover Letter/Work Samples to be considered for the position.

Job Description

The Washington Post seeks a skilled, energetic reporter to join the Inspired Life team as a staff writer. Inspired Life produces timely, surprising text and visual stories about ordinary people doing extraordinary things, all through a lens of humanity and kindness. Typically short narratives, Inspired Life stories can be news-driven or enterprise, but always rigorously reported and meticulously fact checked. 

This role requires someone with a fast metabolism, excellent news judgement and exceptional interviewing skills. A keen sense of straightforward storytelling is essential. The ideal candidate has a track record of finding delightful, fun or otherwise overlooked stories and executing them with a clean and engaging writing style. Many of our stories originate on social media, so a fluency with social platforms is a must. We seek a reporter who finds stories that are relevant to a wide audience of all backgrounds.  

Inspired Life is part of WP Ventures, a startup within The Post, so we are looking for a nimble journalist with an appetite for experimentation and trying new formats, including newsletters, social video and audio experimentation.  

A spirit of collaboration is essential, as we work closely within our small team and with desks across the newsroom.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute stories exclusive to The Post that land with emotional impact but are not maudlin.

• Comb through social media, develop sources and otherwise unearth must-read story ideas.

• Work with editors and photo teams to secure photos.

• Collaborate across desks at The Post when necessary to include video and graphics elements for stories.

• Work with the Data Insights & Analytics Team to ensure proper story targets and presentation. 

Preferred Qualifications & Experience: 

• Three years or more of reporting and writing experience in a newsroom.

• Empathetic interviewer who can draw out a lively tale and expressive quotes from a subject. 

• Sharp news instincts and understanding of this cultural moment.

• The ability to bring clarity and insight to deeply human stories.

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to juggle several stories at once.

• Skilled communicator who can lay out a story vision and ideas for experimenting with story formats.

• Prior experience writing short-form features is preferred.

This position is based in our Washington, D.C., newsroom. Interested applicants should submit a résumé and a cover letter outlining their vision for the role to our jobs portal. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled, but those received by Apr. 9 will be prioritized. Cover letters should be addressed to Inspired Life Editor Allison Klein and WP Ventures Editor Krissah Thompson. 

The salary range for this position is $73,600.00 - $110,400.00 USD. The actual starting salary within this range will depend on individual skills, experience and qualifications as they relate to specific job requirements.

The Washington Post’s policy for employees is five days per week in the office, with exceptions for newsgathering and general business travel.

Compensation and Benefits

Wherever you are in your life or career, The Washington Post offers comprehensive and inclusive benefits for every step of your journey:

• Competitive medical, dental and vision coverage

• Company-paid pension and 401(k) match

• Three weeks of vacation and up to three weeks of paid sick leave

• Nine paid holidays and two personal days

• 20 weeks paid parental leave for any new parent

• Robust mental health resources

• Backup care and caregiver concierge services

• Gender affirming services

• Pet insurance

• Free Post digital subscription

• Leadership and career development programs

Benefits may vary based on the job, full-time or part-time schedule, location, and collectively bargained status.

The Post strives to provide its readers with high-quality, trustworthy news and information while constantly innovating. That mission is best served by a diverse, multi-generational workforce with varied life experiences and perspectives. All cultures and backgrounds are welcomed. 

Ever wondered if what you are doing will Impact Tomorrow? At The Washington Post, every employee shapes the way we deliver the news. Find the career that’s right for you

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