Investigative Reporting Workshop Staff Positions

Director of Computer-Assisted Reporting

About the position

The Investigative Reporting Workshop is seeking a director of computer-assisted reporting. Working with senior Workshop managers, the director will develop and execute plans for acquiring, analyzing and presenting data used by the Investigative Reporting Workshop. The director will work with project managers, writers and others to identify the data needed to support projects, will work with government agencies and others to acquire data related to Workshop activities, and will create programs, computer applications and other materials needed to analyze and present the data.

The successful applicant will have extensive experience in computer-assisted journalism, including acquiring and analyzing large data sets for use in journalistic articles and Web sites. The director must be familiar with hardware and software applications appropriate to developing and maintaining large Web sites using interactive data technologies, including geographic information systems and mapping. The director must be familiar with the federal Freedom of Information Act and other legal issues relevant to access to information. The director must have at least a bachelor’s degree. An advanced degree is preferred. Course work in computer science and statistics is preferred. This position is grant-supported and is subject to funding.

The salary is negotiable and competitive. The position includes a full package of American University benefits, including health insurance, annual leave, retirement fund contributions and tuition remission.

About the Investigative Reporting Workshop

The Investigative Reporting Workshop was founded in 2008 as a project of the American University School of Communication. It has two primary missions:

• To create significant, original investigative reporting on subjects of great national and international importance for publication or broadcast, with a special emphasis on technologically innovative, multimedia projects. This work will be done by experienced, preeminent journalists working closely with graduate students, and it will appear on the Workshop’s web site and in partnership with national news organizations.
• To research and experiment with new economic models for creating and delivering investigative reporting in the United States and around the world. Few if any university research centers are specifically focusing on this kind of entrepreneurial research and development. The incubation process may spawn exciting, ground-breaking, new nonprofit, for profit or “hybrid” ventures.

Application process

Send a letter of interest (including salary expectations), a current resume, a list of at least three computer-assisted reporting projects in which you have been involved, and the names and contact information for three professional references to careers@american.edu , indicating you are applying for postion number 7493. Materials also may be faxed to 202 885-1737 or mailed to:

Human Resources
American University
4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20016-8054

Your references will not be contacted unless you are selected for an interview. Questions about the position may be referred to Senior Editor Wendell Cochran at cochran@american.edu or 202 885-3600. Applications should be submitted no later than Aug. 15, 2009 for best consideration.

American University is an equal opportunity affirmative action employer commited to a diverse faculty, staff and student body. Applications from women and minorities are particularly invited. For more information, visit our website at www.soc.american.edu.