Food & Agriculture Reporter

Grist is a nonprofit, independent media organization dedicated to reporting on climate change. Since 1999, we have used the power of journalism to engage the public about the perils of one of the most existential threats we face. We seek to document the often unequal impacts of climate change on communities in the United States and globally — as well as to show the promise of equitable climate solutions.

Over the past eight years, we have scaled from a largely Seattle-based team of 25-30 to a nationally distributed organization of ~50. Our vision is to ignite public urgency and action on climate change for a thriving planet that benefits everyone. We work toward our vision by creating thought-provoking journalism and multimedia storytelling that drive the climate change conversation.

Grist’s journalism has been recognized with dozens of awards and nominations in recent years, including for general excellence from the National Magazine Award, the Edward R Murrow Awards, and the Online Journalism Awards. According to a fall 2025 survey, 100% of staff would recommend Grist to a friend.

Grist is seeking a reporter to cover the intersection of climate change and food & agriculture for a temporary, 6-month position. We're looking for someone who can move quickly and thoughtfully on the biggest food & ag stories of the day, delivering sharp analysis, fresh angles, and clear context for readers trying to understand what just happened — and why it matters.

In this role, you’ll work directly with Grist’s team of editors, reporters, and visual artists to produce weekly coverage on the ways that the U.S.’s food and agriculture industries are both impacted by climate change and contribute to global warming. Grist is looking for someone with a proven record of producing timely, thoughtful, and fresh beat coverage. We would also hope this person brings a developed pool of sources in relevant government agencies, corporations, and community organizations.

Because of the time-bound nature of the position (filling in for a reporter who’s on leave), we will be looking for someone capable of producing sharp and well-sourced news coverage on a weekly basis — not someone interested in pitching longform features or prolonged investigations. You’ll generally write 4-5 stories per month, ranging from 600-1,500 words.

This person’s reporting will focus around three main beats: You’ll have the opportunity to track the agriculture industry’s emissions, and hold those companies to account; explain how climate change is affecting what and how we eat; and examine major developments in food and agricultural policy by the USDA and state agencies.

And you’ll also be interested in reporting on relevant scientific breakthroughs and approaching the beat from a solutions lens. How are researchers and/or farmers working to address the outsize emissions of the global food system? Can those solutions be scaled up to statewide or national levels? What are the drawbacks? Additionally, you’ll be mindful of the equity issues that are often at the root of human-based climate stories.

The base pay for this six-month temporary position is $65,000-$72,000 annualized, depending on experience. Grist is based in Seattle, but the job doesn’t have to be. We have staff around the country. This position is represented by Pacific Northwest Newspaper Guild Local 37082 (“Grist NewsGuild”).

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Conceive of, report, write, and produce stories of varying lengths on topics at the intersection of climate change and food and agriculture

Produce 4-5 stories per month, ranging from 600-1,500 words

Translate important trends and news in your beats so readers can understand a warming planet’s impact on everyday lives

Contribute to Grist’s newsletters, special packages, and other projects, as requested

Be excited about sharing your methods and talents with your colleagues and learning about theirs

Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

At least two years of relevant experience, preferably focused on climate, food, and agriculture

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience

Professional reporting experience, knowledge, and interest in climate

A track record of covering stories of national importance and impact

Experience finding sharp, provocative angles on the news of the day

Comfort with magazine-style journalism

Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, juggling multiple priorities and deadlines

Comfort with technology, social media, and digital tools for journalism

Proficiency with desktop writing tools and web technologies for news gathering and publishing

Superior organizational skills and obsessive attention to details

Ability to work independently, demonstrate good personal judgment, and exercise a commitment to ethical conduct toward sources, story subjects, and readers

Excellent communication, interpersonal, and writing skills

Demonstrated poise, tact, diplomacy, and the ability to interact with individuals at all levels of the organization

And it sure would be nice if you also had:

Excitement about exploring innovative and creative ways to tell stories in a fast-moving news environment

A passion for helping Grist reach new audiences with climate news and information

The ability to identify stories that will resonate with readers and demonstrate the intersectionality of climate change

A keen sense of what people are talking about, and ability to monitor a wide variety of sources to stay on top of the zeitgeist

Interest in, and ideas for, delivering news on non-Grist platforms like newsletters and social media

OUR HIRING PROCESS

Applicants must submit a resume and cover letter explaining why you’re a great fit for this position.

Here’s what you can expect from our hiring process:

30-minute prescreen interview with a member of our HR team

60-minute Zoom interview with potential colleagues and department head

Candidates who are asked to submit a work as a part of the hiring process (i.e., writing test or case study) will be compensated $200.00.

If you have any questions or need to request an accommodation, please send an email to [email protected].

BENEFITS

Medical, dental and vision coverage paid 100% for Employee premiums and 85% for Dependent premiums

Employer paid Basic Life, ADD, Travel Assistance, STD/LTD, EAPs

Voluntary Insurance include Health, Dependent and Transit FSA, Life/ADD, Critical Illness and Accident Insurance

Traditional and Roth 401k with matching (vested immediately)

New Employee Remote Office Set-up reimbursement

Monthly WiFi Stipend

Alternative Transportation Reimbursement

Temporary employees will receive the paid holidays that fall during their period of employment, plus 2.5 floating holidays. Temporary employees who are employed during the summer months will receive one summer day for each month they are employed during the summer.

Generous paid leave including medical and family leave, parental leave, abortion leave, sabbatical leave and many other paid and unpaid leave programs

Annual in-person all-staff retreat (subject to pandemic conditions)

Grist Magazine, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment, free of discrimination and harassment, where our staff can be their authentic selves. All of our employment decisions are based on business needs, without regard to race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other status protected by laws where we operate.

GRIST MAGAZINE, INC. APPLICANT PRIVACY NOTICE

Last updated 08/05/2023

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