Special Projects Writer – Grist Magazine

Job Expired

Job Description:

Are you an experienced writer and editor with a belief that climate change is the story of our lifetime? Are you hungry to explore solutions to the perils confronting this here planet? Do you have an irreverent wit, a love of grammar, and a way with words? If so, Grist wants you.

Grist, a leading green news organization, is seeking a special projects writer to work with our founder and a small team to help develop a new program focused on solutions and the people behind them. In this role, you will hop on the phone with a solar-startup CEO in coal country, interview experts on new farming techniques in the Great Plains, and compile research on how leading Fortune 500 companies are upcycling old products to make new ones. Your work will tell the story of a future that doesn’t suck and give voice to Grist’s new program, The Fix @grist, which focuses on Fixes happening around the country and world, and on Fixers, the innovators and do-ers making change happen. The program encompasses a new set of content on our site and other platforms, and a series of events that convene Fixers in person.

You will work closely with Grist’s founder to dig into the story of progress through research, writing, and editing. And you’ll support the growth of our new program by crafting promotional and background materials for it, collaborating on this work with other teams across the organization (e.g., editorial, audience development, fundraising). We prefer candidates based in our hometown of Seattle, but are open to alternatives for the exceptional somebody, as many of our team members work remotely. The position may begin as a contract-to-hire role.

Job Responsibilities:

  • Launch a regular email newsletter from our founder focused on Fixes and Fixers, developing its tone and themes.
  • Lay the groundwork for an annual special project that highlights emerging solutions, researching topics and writing some of its contents.
  • Produce regular interviews with Fixers, other innovators, book authors, and other thoughts leaders working toward a better future, publishing content under our founder’s byline, as well as your own.
  • Run discussions with Fixers and our audience members on our site and other platforms.
  • Conduct research for a Fixers-related podcast.
  • Manage social-media content related to the new program on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
  • Draft compelling talks and presentations for our founder, as well as occasional articles for other publications.
  • Develop and edit clear, witty promotional materials for our program, including proposals to potential partners, communications to events participants and Grist audience members, and collateral for events.
  • Contribute to the new program’s strategic direction.
  • Take on other duties as needed (we’re a small crew, so everyone pitches in).

Job Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
  • At least three years of reporting, writing, and editing experience, preferably online.
  • Knowledge of and interest in environmental issues, especially climate change and energy, regenerative agriculture, livable cities, and environmental justice.
  • Superior writing skills, including a track record of creating content for a range of audiences.
  • Ability to master in short order Grist’s irreverent, conversational voice.
  • Comfort working in a fast-paced environment, juggling multiple priorities and deadlines.
  • Mad skills with technology, social media, and other digital tools for journalism, including G Suite.
  • Obsessive attention to details.
  • Ability to work independently with little supervision.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills, and an ability to interact with individuals at all levels of an organization, with a knack for bringing together the necessary stakeholders on a project.
  • A passion for our mission.
  • A wicked sense of humor (ya know, when appropriate).

Cultivating an inclusive staff is central to Grist’s focus on advancing equity. We’re interested in hearing from people who can work with diverse colleagues of varied experience. Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Grist is an equal-opportunity employer.

How To Apply:

To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, and three to five work samples to specialprojects@grist.org with special-projects writer” in the subject line. We are looking for a thoughtful, personalized cover letter that displays your qualifications, enthusiasm, and communication style. No phone calls, please.

More Information

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