Data Reporter

Data Reporter

Austin American-Statesman

Job Description

The Austin American-Statesman is hiring a Data Reporter who thrives on finding and telling stories with data in a fast-paced, audience-centered newsroom. In this role, you will be joining a new team serving Texas readers with impactful, data- and graphics-focused reporting. You’ll have the opportunity to pursue a mix of quick-turnaround stories on a variety of topics, while receiving training and mentorship from award-winning data specialists, beat reporters and the Hearst DevHub, a team of innovation-focused technical journalists. 

Success means delivering stories that hold institutions accountable, providing context in breaking news moments and helping Texans understand the forces shaping their communities. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Produce data- and graphics-focused journalism that’s centered on topics including education, politics, climate, development and city issues.
• Approach datasets with a healthy dose of skepticism and find trends and stories in the numbers.
• Write and document reproducible, bulletproof code for data analysis. 
• Write audience-focused stories and build data visualizations.
• Support and further data literacy in the newsroom by leading data trainings

Qualifications:

• Experience working collaboratively in a deadline-driven newsroom environment. 
• Ability to self-manage and handle multiple projects at the same time.
• Command of Excel and Google Sheets. 
• Experience analyzing data in Python, R, SQL or a similar programming language. 
• Comfort with data visualization tools such as Datawrapper or Adobe Illustrator/ai2html.
• Working knowledge of Git and Github.
• Desire and ability to learn on the job.
• Any experience with the following tools/systems is a plus: 
  • Mapping tools such as ArcGIS or QGIS. 
  • APIs and web-scraping tools.
  • Federal and Texas open-records. 

Additional Requirements and Information 

This role is a hybrid position based in the Austin American-Statesman newsroom.

To be considered you must submit all required documents in PDF format: 

• Résumé.
• Cover letter that explains why you would be a good fit.
• One page that includes three work/character references including titles, email addresses and phone numbers, and links to at least three digital work samples.

About the Austin American-Statesman:

The Austin American-Statesman has been the leading source of news and information for Central Texas since 1871, serving a dynamic and fast-growing region anchored by the capital city of Texas. Austin is known for its vibrant tech industry, rich cultural heritage, influential government institutions and creative spirit.

The Statesman's award-winning journalists provide in-depth coverage of the issues that matter most to Austinites — from local government and business to education, the environment and Austin’s ever-evolving music and cultural scenes. With a strong focus on accountability journalism and investigative reporting, the Statesman plays a critical role in informing and engaging its community.

About Hearst Newspapers:

With 2,500 employees across the nation, HNP represents a network of 24 daily and 52 weekly publications, including the Austin American-Statesman, San Francisco Chronicle, Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Express-News and Albany Times Union, several top digital-only news and lifestyle sites, marketing services businesses, and entertainment businesses such as King Features Syndicate.

At HNP, we are investing in new and innovative ways to tell stories – growing newsr