Investigative Data Journalist

Job Description

If you're an expert data journalist who thrives on finding stories that would otherwise be unseen or ignored, we want your help creating data-driven stories that will be highlighted in major markets across the nation! CBS Television Stations is seeking an Investigative Data Journalist to generate content for and collaborate with newsrooms across the group. The Data Journalist's primary focus will be obtaining and analyzing data sets to identify and generate original stories of national relevance that can be localized for multiple markets, with compelling data-visualization, storytelling and innovative, multiplatform delivery. The Data Journalist will be part of a specialized investigative unit inside the CTS Innovation Lab, which experiments with next-generation storytelling, and tests new products, workflows and production models for the future. The investigative unit will collaborate with the group's news, investigative and special projects teams, while also collaborating across CBS News and Stations' platforms.

Primary Responsibilities:
• Ideate, research and create data-driven stories with consistent frequency and impact for the newscasts, specials, streams, websites and apps of CBS News and Stations.
• Obtain, analyze and visualize data sets for on-air and online reporting, including summarizing findings, writing narratives, and crafting graphic elements and interactives.
• Perform exhaustive, accurate and efficient computer-assisted analysis using current software, techniques and statistical tools.
• Understand, interpret and simplify complicated information, and then communicate the points and themes to stakeholders in a clear, concise way.
• Localize stories through personalization and examples in multiple cities or regions.
• Collaborate with and support the work of reporters, producers, graphic designers and website developers to bring stories to publication. Certain assignments will include assisting and producing content for reporters and anchors who present the story on-air.
• Maximize skills and experience to advise others and lead editorially on data projects as well as oversee the data work of colleagues as needed.
• Efficiently increase newsgathering and investigative tactics to acquire information and story elements, such as developing relationships, cultivating sources, strategically landing interviews, and navigating open records laws.
• Solicit and vet tips and story ideas to identify and prioritize original, timely and topical investigative pieces with broad value to the audience.
• Urgently develop and execute investigative angles to elevate breaking news coverage.
• Work closely with management, journalists and legal counsel in creating accurate, well-documented, bulletproof stories.
• Communicate frequently and effectively with respect and candor, and maintain highly collaborative, productive working environments and relationships with management and news personnel. Represent company professionally at all times in public interactions.
• Must be willing to work an unpredictable and adaptable schedule as assigned.
• This is primarily not an on-air position.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:
• Portfolio required demonstrating visualization and integration of data, combined with compelling, creative writing and design, which results in high-impact, high-caliber storytelling. Experience producing multiplatform content preferred.
• Advanced skills required in Excel, Access, SQL and GIS or other mapping software. Additional knowledge in systems such as Python and R preferred.
• Advanced CMS skills required, plus expertise with like Tableau, Infogram and Flourish to create interactives. Basic scripting and HTML knowledge preferred.
• Excellent reading, writing, spelling, grammar and organizational skills required.
• 10+ years' experience as a data journalist and journalism degree preferred.

Paramount is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) including disability/vet.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-gq9zw1-216-73-216-179-42 in your application.