About the job: This is a full-time, two-year fellowship position at the Chesapeake Bay Journal for an early-career writer focused on environmental journalism in the Chesapeake Bay region.

You would be part of a small, highly collaborative team that tackles issues including but not limited to climate change, environmental justice, water pollution, the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers, sustainable agriculture, air pollution, wildlife and fisheries, and outdoor recreation. We are seeking a strong writer who can help meet the need for high quality environmental reporting and actively contribute new talent, ideas and perspectives to the Bay Journal team.

This is a terrific opportunity to use your existing skills while exploring and/or developing new ones. Not only will you learn about the operations of a nonprofit news organization, but you will gain in-depth exposure to environmental science, policymaking and a large network of nonprofits and agencies at work in the Bay region. And you’ll delve into the complex challenges involved with providing clean water, clean air and healthy outdoor spaces for humans and wildlife alike.

All Bay Journal staff members work remotely in priority areas of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The preferred location for this position would be near Richmond, VA, but other locations will be considered.

Our aim is to find candidates with up to five years of work experience who would bring a varied combination of skills and energy to our team. The qualifications listed below are important but not the full range that we would consider. Please let us know how you could contribute to the Bay Journal, even if your skills and experience don’t quite match those listed below.
 
About the Chesapeake Bay Journal: The Bay Journal has been providing environmental news for more than 30 years. It is the only media outlet dedicated to environmental issues in the Chesapeake watershed and is one of the oldest nonprofit news organizations in the nation. We produce a printed, 40-page monthly newspaper and a weekly email newsletter, as well as photography, films, videos and podcasts. We have a 10-person team and reach approximately 250,000 people each month. Our staff works remotely in Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania but maintains constant communications via Zoom, Slack, phone, email and periodic in-person meetings.
  
Salary & Benefits: This is a full-time, salaried position of $45,000 to $50,000, with four weeks of paid annual leave in addition to federal holidays, and employer-subsidized health insurance and retirement savings plans.

How to apply: Send cover letter, resume, three writing samples (as attachments or via links) and two references to admin@bayjournal.com. Please use the word “Fellowship” in the subject line.

Review start date: Sept. 11, 2023. Open until filled.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, English, communications, or a related field such as science or environmental policy combined with experience writing for a general audience
• Experience with or interest in environmental topics
• Excellent skills in writing, reporting and research, with attention to detail, accuracy and context
• Communication and organizational skills that support productivity in an independent work environment
• Ability to collaborate and meet deadlines
• Willingness to travel as needed for reporting assignments and staff meetings
• Willingness to report stories in varied settings, such as towns and cities, farms, forests, industrial sites, schools, research labs, and on boat

Other Desired Qualifications:

• One to five years of experience in journalism or science writing
• Experience writing about environmental issues and public policy
• Knowledge of environmental issues in the Chesapeake Bay region
• Multimedia skills such as photography, videography or podcasting