Transportation Policy Reporter

Job Description

About Our Organization: Punchbowl News is a news content company focused on power, people, and politics in Washington. We are seeking a Transportation Policy Reporter to join our growing team. Punchbowl News’ primary focus is breaking news about power, the nation’s political leadership and explaining to our audience of political junkies how Washington works. We produce (at least) three newsletters each day, weekly policy newsletters, a daily podcast, dozens of events and more across our growing product suite. Punchbowl News’ theory is that power in Washington emanates from the Capitol – and that’s the center of our focus. Our audience includes members of Congress, high-ranking members of the Trump administration, lobbyists, top-level reporters, media executives, Wall Streeters, tech and Hollywood executives and everyday political fans.

FLSA Status: Exempt

Employment Status: Full-time Regular

Primary Location: Washington, DC

Job Summary: Punchbowl News is looking for an aggressive reporter to join our growing editorial team and cover the transportation policy beat where they would team up with a second reporter. They should have the ability to thrive in a startup-oriented newsroom.

Previous experience covering transportation policy is not required, but knowledge of how Congress works is needed.

Transportation policy debates are a major part of the congressional agenda each year and touch on a variety of topics important Punchbowl News readers. This list includes the debate over surface transportation reauthorization, aviation safety, automatic vehicles and infrastructure spending.

The ideal candidate for this job will want to cover not only the policies – but the personalities that drive decision making in the Capitol, the administration and industry.

There are great stories to be told on this beat and we want an aggressive and smart reporter to write them for Punchbowl News.

Interested candidates should apply AND email a one to two page beat memo to Policy Editor Dave Clarke (View email address on ziprecruiter.com news) with the subject line: Transportation Policy. This memo should describe how you would cover transportation policy for us, including the major story lines you would follow, the key players you would chronicle and how Punchbowl News can beat the competition and provide distinctive coverage for our core audience.

Responsibilities: The Punchbowl News transportation reporter will work closely with the entire editorial team to own coverage of the power, people and politics in the energy and transportation worlds.

Key responsibilities include:

• Filing several dispatches each week for our flagship newsletters: Punchbowl News AM, Midday and PM
• Co-anchoring a new energy/transportation newsletter each week
• Breaking market-moving news and produce thought-provoking enterprise and analysis
• Hosting live newsmaker events
• Representing Punchbowl News on television, radio and other promotional activities

Qualifications:

• 2 + years of Washington and Capitol Hill reporting experience
• An understanding of transportation policy conversations driving decisions in Washington and/or an understanding of how policy is made in Congress
• Ability to write clean, concise copy
• A record of breaking news and high-value enterprise

Compensation & Benefits:

The salary for this role is in the range of $95,000 - $110,000. Final compensation will be based on scope, work experience, and relevant skills.

In addition to salary, Punchbowl News is pleased to offer other benefits:

• Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance, with 100% of premiums covered by Punchbowl News for employees and eligible family members.
• Retirement Plan: 401(k) with employer-matching contributions, available after six months of employment.
• Paid Time Off: 20 days of paid vacation annually, in addition to most federal holidays.
• Office-Wide Breaks: Two additional weeks of paid company-wide time off—end of August and end of December.
• Parental Leave: Up to 20 weeks of fully paid leave for birth parents. Non-birth parents or partners are eligible for 12 weeks of paid leave.
• Professional Development: Ongoing learning opportunities through internal training, programs, and external classes.

Employment Eligibility & Equal Opportunity Statement

Punchbowl News celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

In accordance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required Form I-9 upon hire.