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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 is seeking a skilled journalist to support The Early 202, our flagship morning politics newsletter that covers the ins-and-outs of what’s happening at the White House, on Capitol Hill, on the campaign trail and at the Supreme Court.
This is a temporary contract position, reporting to the deputy Washington editor, that runs through the end of the year. An extension beyond 2024 is possible.
This Assistant Editor will work closely with the newsletter’s two authors and its editor to present The Post’s best political reporting and scour other reliable sources for information important to our readers. The Early 202 is published each morning Monday through Friday.
The ideal candidate will have a proven record of synthesizing information, writing concisely and translating complex policy issues into language clear to political insiders as well as a general audience. They will also be knowledgeable about Congress, the administration, federal agencies, the Supreme Court and campaign politics. We are seeking a fast-moving and responsible journalist who is excited to sustain The Early 202’s high standards and who has a keen eye for how to feature and highlight the best political reporting from across the newsroom.
Responsibilities:
- Begin work at 3 a.m. ET Monday through Friday to finalize and then send The Early 202 by 6:15 a.m. ET, plus an aggregated newsletter, Politics A.M., by 7 a.m. ET.
- Compile and write key elements of the newsletter by summarizing several top stories in a few succinct paragraphs, adding any breaking news and gathering links to compelling stories from other news sources.
- Ensure the newsletter draft is fully edited and ready to send by adding photos, checking headlines, titles and time references, gathering links, scouring Post feeds for any news that broke overnight, editing the copy for errors and generally making sure the newsletter is readable and flows well from section to section.
Preferred qualifications:
- At least three years of experience working in journalism.
- Strong news judgment and a knack for distilling policy and political debates.
- Excellent writing skills, with the ability to write cleanly, clearly and concisely.
- Some knowledge of Congress, the administration, federal agencies, the Supreme Court and campaign politics.
- Critical thinking skills and an ability to drill down into complicated policy topics.
- Clear and collegial communicator who can work effectively across a large, fast-paced newsroom.
- Consistent and responsible work ethic; a self-starter who takes the initiative to overcome obstacles and solve problems.
While the person who fills this role would ideally be based in Washington, D.C., we may also consider strong candidates based elsewhere.
Interested applicants should submit a résumé and a cover letter to our jobs portal. All application materials can be uploaded to the same field. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled, but those received by March 17 will be prioritized. Cover letters should be addressed to Deputy Washington Editor Paige Cunningham, Senior Politics Editor Dan Eggen, Deputy National Editor Amy Fiscus, National Editor Philip Rucker and Managing Editor Matea Gold.
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.
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