Staff Writer, Creative Arts​/Media

The Trace, in partnership with Block Club Chicago, is looking for a full-time staff writer to cover the impact of gun violence on Chicago’s neighborhoods.

The staff writer in this role, which is funded by The Trace but based in Block Club’s newsroom, will cover gun violence, public safety and justice in Chicago.

As the only media organization dedicated to reporting on gun violence, The Trace uses the power of nonprofit journalism to improve public understanding, increase accountability and identify solutions that can lead to safer homes and communities for all.

You can expect to publish 28 to 32 stories a year, a mix of deep beat reporting, spot reporting, and accountability work. The staff writer will work closely with Block Club Chicago’s reporters and be overseen by a Block Club editor, who the staff writer will check in with multiple times per day.

Stories can run the gamut from accountability pieces that question people in power or long-running programs to explanatory pieces and narrative stories. Your work may also include shorter news stories that other outlets might miss, but that are still important to our readers, such as the city’s transparency in its violence prevention work.

We also expect you to regularly file records requests, cultivate and maintain sources with a variety of viewpoints on this challenging beat, represent The Trace and Block Club within the community and in media appearances, and work as a collaborative member of our local team.

This position is based in Chicago, but reporters are expected to be out in the field and are able to work from home as needed. There will also be meetings and opportunities to work in Block Club’s Loop office.

• Land gripping stories that drive change
• Work with editor to identify high-impact reporting opportunities and then pursue them independently
• Publish 28 to 32 stories a year, a mix of deep beat reporting, spot reporting, and accountability work
• Cultivate and maintain sources on all sides of a challenging beat
• Deliver clean, factual copy that is a pleasure to read and work collaboratively through editing to make stories as good as they can be
• Makes use of deep subject expertise and local sourcing to drive accountability and impact in Chicago
• Relies on their ability to win over tough sources that inform more than just one story
• Displays sensitivity and accountability in covering people who have experienced profound trauma, the ability to digest and understand data and research and separate the wheat from the chaff
• May also work on one to two projects per year, as scheduling allows
• Participates in newsroom events, social media engagement, and media interviews to promote their work, as needed, to build trust and recognition
• Participates in the work culture of both news organizations (The Trace and Block Club Chicago), while upholding their values and standards
• Tracks the impact of their reporting and regularly follows up on it
• Works collaboratively with editors and other staff and contributes to a supportive workplace culture overall
• Conducts themself ethically in a tricky news gathering context and consults with editors as needed
• Can deftly navigate state and federal court records, finding stories that go overlooked by other media
• Has a proficiency with making public records requests and diligently following up to ensure they are processed appropriately

• $85,000-$90,000 annually
• 100% covered medical, dental, and vision insurance for employee and dependents
• 401(k) with match up to 5%
• Vacation Days (20 a year)
• Sick Days (10 a year)
• Personal Days (2 a year)
• Paid holidays (15 a year, encompassing federal holidays and one week end of year closure)
• Paid Family Leave (12 weeks)
• Phone and wifi…