Staff Writer, Features

About The Position

CQ Roll Call is looking for a creative journalist to focus on the people behind the policy. You will examine the full range of personalities on Capitol Hill, including lawmakers, their staff, the lobbyists who influence them, the activists who pressure them and the constituents who depend on them. Your reporting will explore the quirks and power struggles of Congress, along with its humanity and unexpected humor. You could describe this as covering the “lighter side” of Capitol Hill, but it’s more than that — you will help readers see the personal motives, backstories, alliances and conflicts that drive decision-making.

The position is based in Washington and requires daily reporting from the Capitol. You will contribute to a highly collaborative newsroom and file multiple stories a week, including features, profiles, news and human interest items.

About The CQ Roll Call Team

The staff writer is part of CQ Roll Call’s coverage of policy and politics, advancing FiscalNote’s mission of making government transparent for readers on Capitol Hill, in the executive branch and in the private sector.

About You

You have a knack for making dry topics come alive through original reporting and storytelling. You care about the nitty-gritty details of policymaking — and even more about the emotions and desires that shape it. You thrive on meeting new people, and you aren’t afraid of feelings, dense legislative text, pop culture or Senate procedure (not necessarily in that order).

Submission Details

Please submit up to five clips that show your approach to writing about personalities, power struggles or unexpected moments in politics or government.

The base salary range for this position is $65,000 - 70,000 per year.

What to Expect in This Position

• Dive into the inner workings of the legislative branch. Find the people who make it run and its many moments of weirdness.
• Become the primary voice of Heard on the Hill, a longstanding Roll Call section devoted to the people, culture and foibles of Congress.
• Approach the Capitol campus as a local reporter would, exploring its internal rules, support agencies and budget. Attend hearings, markups and events.
• Pitch and develop unique story ideas that shed light on lesser known facets of Congress. Show how personal experiences lead to certain policy positions, report on obstacles in the congressional workplace, and help readers understand the shifting alliances and animosities that aren’t always obvious from the outside.
• Explore how Congress interacts with pop culture — both how members deal with popular trending topics and how the institution is depicted in books, TV shows or movies.
• Write a mix of feature stories and spot news for two websites, along with a newspaper that publishes when Congress is in session.
• Conduct interviews with lawmakers that help reveal their personalities through offbeat lines of questioning.
• Build sources all around the Hill, including members of Congress, staffers, lobbyists, protesters, support workers, think tank experts and more.
  
  

What Sets You Apart

• At least 3 years of journalism experience as a reporter and writer for a newspaper or news-oriented website. Experience covering Congress or the federal government is strongly preferred.
• Ability to tell compelling human stories while also nailing the details of a complex piece of legislation.
• Knack for cutting through political talking points and asking unexpected questions.
• Versatile writing chops that can range from a voice-driven column or color piece to a deeply reported feature.
• Obsession with (or a willingness to become obsessed with) the ups and downs of the Capitol, include its procedures, rhythms and incentives.
• Firm commitment to the journalistic values of accuracy, objectivity, fairness and editorial independence.
• Familiarity with congressional terminology and AP style.
  
  

Excited about this role, but don't meet 100% of the expected qualifications listed above? We'd still love for you to apply!

When applying to FiscalNote, rest assured that your application is reviewed by a living, breathing human being and evaluated based on key competencies needed for success in the position. Our Recruiting team maintains awareness of all open roles which means your application may be assessed against multiple positions and we will reach out to gauge your interest in other opportunities as appropriate. Questions or concerns? Contact recruiting.team@fiscalnote.com, we'd be happy to connect!

As part of FiscalNote's commitment to creating an accessible and inclusive hiring process, we strive to provide reasonable accommodations for persons with medical conditions or disabilities that will enable their access to the hiring process. If you need an accommodation, please send an email to recruiting.team@fiscalnote.com to let us know the nature of your request.

About FiscalNote

FiscalNote (NYSE: NOTE) is a leader in policy and global intelligence. By uniquely combining data, technology, and insights, FiscalNote empowers customers with critical insights and the tools to turn them into action.

Home to CQ, FrontierView, VoterVoice, and many other industry-leading brands, FiscalNote helps organizations stay ahead of political and business risk.

At FiscalNote, We Lead with Values

Know your Audience ∙ Find the Truth ∙ Drive Alignment ∙ Level Up ∙ Own the Job ∙ Bias for Action ∙ Support the Family

Company Benefits

FiscalNote supports our people by enabling team members with flexibility and benefits to promote well-being and balance, ensuring all FiscalNoters can bring their authentic selves to work. We start by offering competitive salaries, retirement accounts, and equity packages to ensure we’re all FN owners. Plus, our comprehensive benefits packages align with regional requirements and expectations no matter where you are located across the globe. Learn more at https://careers.fiscalnote.com/benefits/.

FiscalNote values diversity. We are committed to equal opportunities and creating an inclusive environment for all our employees. We welcome applicants regardless of ethnic origin, national origin, gender, race, religious beliefs, disability, sexual orientation or age. FiscalNote is an EEOC employer.

FiscalNote uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all new employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.DHS.gov/E-Verify.

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