Staff Writer

Slate
Brooklyn, NY
HybridCareer-pivot friendly

Who this role is best for

Geared toward experienced writers comfortable with fast-paced reporting and long-form feature writing, this role is based in Brooklyn, New York, but allows for remote work in certain cases.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with a background in feature writing and cultural reporting who thrive in a dynamic, multi-tasking environment
    — “This position could cover social trends, political life, relationships, sex, religion, education, food, and/or internet culture”
  • Individuals with a strong sense of humor and a knack for original thinking and sharp analysis
    — “Good humor, clean and lively copy, original thinking, a lack of inhibition to chase leads and sources, and enthusiasm will be keys to success in this job”
  • Reporters who are versatile and willing to contribute to multiple sections, including politics and culture
    — “Operating as an integral part of Slate’s life team, with a jack-of-all-trades spirit that can dip into our politics and culture sections”

Things to consider

  • The role requires a minimum of five years of writing and reporting experience, with a preference for feature writing
    — “At least five to seven years’ experience working as a writer, preferably in a reporting role with feature-writing experience”
  • The position is covered under a collective bargaining agreement, which may affect flexibility in negotiations or expectations
    — “This is a position covered under a collective bargaining agreement between Slate and the Writers Guild of America East”

How to stand out

  • Highlight your ability to generate and refine story ideas across multiple domains in your resume and portfolio
    — “Candidates should excel at coming up with and refining ideas”
  • Demonstrate your experience with long-form feature writing and quick-turnaround news commentary
    — “write several long-form pieces per year, but will also be comfortable in the day-to-day coverage”
  • Showcase your original reporting and analysis skills with specific examples from your past work
    — “candidates should excel at ... connecting the dots with original reporting and sharp analysis”
  • Emphasize your experience with online research and communication in your application materials
    — “Top-notch online sleuthing and communication skills”
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • Publishing high-quality articles
  • Generating traffic and engagement
  • Contributing to the life section
Typical background
Experience in journalism or content creationBackground in feature writing

Skills & requirements

Required

Feature WritingReportingContent IdeationOnline ResearchCopywriting

Preferred

Video EditingPodcast Production

About the role

Original posting from Slate via Lever

Slate is hiring a staff writer whose work will move across the magazine, with a home in the life section. We’re looking for a driven, creative reporter who finds unique ways to approach tricky questions in culture and news. Candidates should excel at coming up with and refining ideas, finding sources, and connecting the dots with original reporting and sharp analysis. This position could cover social trends, political life, relationships, sex, religion, education, food, and/or internet culture, but the candidate’s interests will help shape the work. The ideal candidate has feature-writing experience and will write several long-form pieces per year, but will also be comfortable in the day-to-day coverage that is Slate’s lifeblood. Depending on the news, this staffer might publish one to two shorter stories per week commenting on the headlines while also advancing longer-lead work.  

Good humor, clean and lively copy, original thinking, a lack of inhibition to chase leads and sources, and enthusiasm will be keys to success in this job. The role will combine some of the DNA of Slate’s classicexplainers, trademark spirited news commentary, experiential and reported features, and good old-fashioned blogs with the life section’s incisive view into how our everyday lives and belief systems got to where they are now.

The position is full-time, on staff, with benefits. At least five years in a writing and reporting position is required. Slate welcomes candidates with diverse backgrounds and perspectives. The position can be located in New York or D.C. Strong remote candidates will be considered. This is a position covered under a collective bargaining agreement between Slate and the Writers Guild of America East. The pay range for this position is $80,000 to $105,000. 

Key Responsibilities:

  • Fast writing and reporting that covers the biggest questions on readers’ minds in a given week
  • Generating ideas for quick reporting and fun, longer-term inquiry 
  • Operating as an integral part of Slate’s life team, with a jack-of-all-trades spirit that can dip into our politics and culture sections

Requirements:

  • A sharp, funny, provocative mind and confidence executing ideas
  • At least five to seven years’ experience working as a writer, preferably in a reporting role with feature-writing experience
  • A deep well of story ideas and a sharp understanding of the cultural landscape
  • Top-notch online sleuthing and communication skills

Compensation:

Slate offers a comprehensive benefits program that gives eligible employees the flexibility to choose the right benefits for themselves and their families. There are three subsidized medical plans and two dental plans, provided by Aetna, which can be paired with flexible spending accounts. 

We know that diverse perspectives make us smarter and stronger, and that all applicants, from all backgrounds, should be welcomed in our hiring process and given equal opportunities to be evaluated based on their qualifications and skills. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application and selection process, please let us know. We will do what we can to meet your needs.

Slate is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of an individual's sex, age, race, color, creed, national origin, alienage, religion, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation or affectional preference, gender identity and expression, disability, genetic trait or predisposition, carrier status, citizenship, veteran or military status and other personal characteristics protected by law. All applications will receive consideration for employment without regard to legally protected characteristics.

About the Company

Slate, founded in 1996, is a daily online magazine and podcast network that helped invent the voice of the web. Our strong editorial voice and witty take on current events & culture have been recognized with numerous awards, including the National Magazine Award for General Excellence Online. Our podcast network, established in 2005, produces more than 20 podcasts, including Slow Burn, What Next, Decoder Ring, ICYMI, and more.

Slate is an affiliate of the Graham Holdings Company (NYSE:GHC). GHC is a diversified holding company whose operations include educational services; home health and hospice care; television broadcasting, online, print, and local TV news; automotive dealerships; manufacturing; hospitality; and consumer internet companies.

Slate is an affiliate of Graham Holdings. Read the Graham Holdings Company California Worker Privacy Statement here.

Source: Slate careers (Lever)

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