Staff Writer, Newsletters (Tech)

About the PositionCQ Roll Call is searching for an energetic and inquisitive journalist for a multifaceted role covering energy and environmental policy through news stories and partly spent co-writing a daily newsletter that tells a sophisticated audience what they need to know to start their day.  This is an ideal position for a journalist looking to jump start a career writing and reporting about Congress. The job involves working evenings and occasional weekends, depending on the congressional schedule. It is Washington-based and involves working in the office and in the Capitol. The successful candidate will news and write policy-oriented features and the newsletter through the lens of Congress, the executive branch and the federal judiciary, all for a sophisticated audience. The role also involves co-writing the CQ Tech newsletter, a source of news, analysis, documents and vote data available on the CQ website to subscribers. 
About the CQ Roll Call TeamThe staff writer is part of CQ Roll Call’s coverage of both policy and politics in FiscalNote’s mission to make government transparent for readers on the Hill, in the executive branch, and in the private-sector groups and NGOs with a stake in government decision-making.
About YouYou are a self-motivated journalist with a broad interest in policy, Congress and the legislative process. You have at least an elementary understanding of the annual budget and appropriations process. You are a team player, able and willing to handle varied parts of the production process, with the flexibility to change plans on the fly should news dictate. You don't mind letting your (literal) voice be heard.
The compensation for this position would be $70,000 - 80,000 annually.

What to Expect in This Role

• Diving into the inner workings of committee work, floor activity and legislative procedure.
• A flexible daily start time, with a midmorning start on days policy coverage is expected, and typically an early afternoon start on days focused on the CQ Energy Briefing newsletter. There is additional flexibility during congressional recesses. Later start times are occasionally needed.
• Reporting from the halls of Congress and committee rooms, as well as poring through documents, working the phones, and attending in-person and virtual events.
• Working collaboratively and occasionally sharing bylines with other reporters. 
• Developing and cultivating a network of sources on and off Capitol Hill, including White House officials, lobbyists, industry officials and think tank experts.
• Using data to inform your reporting.
• Occasional reporting and writing profiles of congressional candidates and members of Congress.
• Writing a mix of spot news and enterprise for two websites, a newspaper that publishes when Congress is in session and the CQ Energy Briefing newsletter for subscribers, as well as breaking news when relevant to your beat.  
• Demonstrating your expertise through occasional podcasts and webinars.
• Pitching unique story ideas that differentiate CQ Roll Call from its competitors and smartly executing those ideas.
• Covering committee markups of energy and environment related bills and entering amendments and votes into CQRC’s proprietary database. This is a critical component of legislative tracking provided to CQ subscribers.

What Sets You Apart

• At least 2 years of daily journalism experience as a reporter and writer for a newspaper or news-oriented website. Experience covering Congress or the federal government is strongly preferred. 
• Experience writing about energy and environmental policy.
• Ability to write quickly and cleanly. 
• Working collaboratively with other teams across the newsroom. 
• Ability to track congressional activity and highlight key committee and House or Senate floor work for readers. You must be comfortable learning the nuances of congressional floor procedure and know how to write about it in an accessible, clear way. 
• A keen eye for detail. If you can explain the difference between a motion to proceed and a motion to recommit, or are ready to learn, this job is for you. 
• Mastering  AP, CQ Roll Call style and congressional terminology are required. 
• Deep understanding of the journalistic values of accuracy, objectivity, fairness and editorial independence.
• Familiarity with WordPress or other content management systems. 

Excited about this role, but don't meet 100% of the expected qualifications listed above? We'd still love for you to apply! FiscalNote is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce where unique experiences are valued and everyone has the opportunity to contribute. Research has continuously shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless the