D.C. City Hall Reporter job in Washington, D.C.

Position description

We’re on a mission to deliver riveting storytelling for all of America. At The Washington Post, you’ll help reinvent news. Our work is driven by a deep investigative spirit and enhanced by innovation to bring audiences closer to the stories that matter most.

About Our Team

The Washington Post is powered by the passion and talent of our people. It takes all of us to reinvent news. Beyond our award-winning Newsroom and Opinions teams, we work across many departments, including Brand & Events, Communications, Customer Care, Engineering & Product, Finance, Human Resources, Legal, Marketing & Advertising, Print Operations, and Sales.

Why This Role Matters

The Washington Post is seeking an aggressive, curious and enterprising reporter to cover D.C. city hall at a pivotal moment in the city’s history.

This reporter will chronicle the arrival of the District’s first new mayor in more than a decade, covering the transition of power, the personalities shaping the new government and the policy decisions that will affect more than 700,000 residents. The beat sits at the center of some of the region’s most important stories, from housing affordability and economic development to public safety, transportation, education and the future of downtown Washington.

We are looking for a journalist who thrives on accountability reporting, source-building and explanatory journalism. The ideal candidate will have the curiosity and persistence to reveal how decisions are made inside city government, the urgency to break news on a competitive beat and the storytelling skills to help readers understand how local government affects their daily lives. This is a rare opportunity to cover the beginning of a new political era in the nation’s capital and to help define how audiences understand the city's future.

This position is based in our Washington, D.C., newsroom.

What Motivates You:

You are fascinated by how government works — and sometimes doesn’t.
You are driven to break news and hold public officials accountable.
You enjoy building deep source networks and developing expertise on a complex beat.
You are energized by the opportunity to cover a new administration from its earliest days.
You thrive in a collaborative newsroom and enjoy working across teams.

How You’ll Support the Mission:

Cover the mayor’s office, D.C. Council and key agencies, producing timely and authoritative reporting on city government.
Break news on the policies, politics and personalities shaping the District of Columbia’s future.
Develop and maintain sources throughout city government and within advocacy organizations, neighborhoods and the business community.
Track the implementation and impact of major policy initiatives, helping readers understand how decisions affect their communities.
Produce enterprise and accountability stories that illuminate how power operates at the John A. Wilson Building and how it affects the public.
Cover campaigns, elections, budget debates and other major political developments affecting the District.
Collaborate with visual journalists, data reporters and editors to create compelling, multi-format storytelling.
Identify emerging issues and trends that will shape the future of the city.

The Skills and Experiences You Bring:

A track record of strong reporting on government, politics, public policy or related subjects.
Demonstrated ability to break news and produce impactful enterprise reporting.
Strong source-building skills and comfort navigating political institutions.
Ability to explain complex policy issues clearly and engagingly.
Excellent news judgment and the ability to work effectively under deadline pressure.
A collaborative mindset and eagerness to work across teams.
A commitment to accuracy, fairness and the highest standards of journalism.

Interested candidates should upload a résumé, cover letter and three examples of their work (as PDFs) to our jobs portal. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled, but those received by June 28 will be prioritized. The cover letter should be addressed to Local Editor Theresa Vargas and Deputy Local Editor April Bethea.

The salary range for this position is $97,400 - $162,300. The actual starting salary within this range will depend on individual skills, experience and qualifications as they relate to specific job requirements.

Collaboration makes us stronger. That’s why our offices are designed with open layouts, modern technology, and easy access to transportation. With certain exceptions for newsgathering and business travel, we work on-site five days a week.

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.

Application instructions

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