Climate & Weather Reporter

The Minnesota Star Tribune is an innovative modern media organization building on an extraordinary 157-year legacy. With seven Pulitzer Prizes and numerous other accolades, we stand as a beacon of journalistic excellence in Minnesota. We are the heart and voice of the North.

Our mission is to build a better Minnesota by connecting us with the people, ideas, and stories that strengthen our communities. We're seeking dynamic leaders who are passionate about journalism and democracy to help shape this future. If you are excited about reinventing one of our state's most trusted institutions and leading us into a new era of growth and excellence, we want to hear from you.

Job Summary: Climate & Weather Reporter

The Minnesota Star Tribune is seeking a reporter to cover how climate change and changing weather patterns are affecting Minnesota and Minnesotans.

As The Minnesota Star Tribune's climate and weather reporter, you will be part of the organization's newly formed Outdoors department, responsible for explaining how climate change, weather, and the nexus between the two is impacting the state and the lived experience of its residents. In that role, you will be expected to examine both problems and solutions: the ways that government, nonprofits, business and individuals in Minnesota are both contributing to and counteracting climate change in the state.

To succeed as the climate and weather reporter, you should have an accountability mindset, a strong background in environmental and science reporting, and experience covering climate, weather and environmental issues. You should also have a demonstrated ability to produce a variety of stories, including quick-turn news, deeply reported enterprise and investigative pieces and compelling narratives.

As the Climate and Weather Reporter, you will:

• Be enterprising and entrepreneurial. Our readers most value news and insightful reporting not seen elsewhere. Staying informed about the issues that affect how people experience climate change in Minnesota will result in stories of interest to statewide, regional and national audiences.
• Be adept at reporting and writing different kinds of stories across a variety of climate and weather topics.
• Acquire and analyze data to identify trends and stories for your beat and for others on the environmental team.
• Collaborate with other reporters on the Outdoors team, your editors and other news leaders to determine daily, weekly and ongoing coverage strategies across multiple platforms.
• Be committed to employing audience strategies based on real-time metrics and strategic analysis.
• Collaborate with your editors and members of the Audience team to build avenues for engagement and amplification of your work and The Minnesota Star Tribune.
• Leverage other mediums, such as audio and video and the camera on your cell phone, to reach wide audiences.
• Work regularly from The Minnesota Star Tribune's downtown headquarters.

You have:

• An audience-focused mindset, with a deep curiosity about Minnesota (and how it's changing), and a passion for exploring and explaining how weather and climate change is affecting the state and its residents.
• An investigative and accountability mentality, examining the role businesses, government and nonprofits play in countering or contributing to climate change.
• High standards and a commitment to fairness and accuracy.
• The ability to multitask and juggle priorities.
• A commitment to creating an inclusive workplace newsroom experience and a portfolio of work that demonstrates an ability to produce journalism that has an impact.
• An eagerness to work with the Outdoors Editor and environmental team leader to establish the Star Tribune as an indispensable source of environmental news for Minnesotans.
• A commitment to using 21^st century digital tools to engage readers.
• Strong people skills and an ability to give and receive constructive feedback.
• The ability to collaborate and communicate across The Minnesota Star Tribune.

Pay for this position starts at $57,935 a year, based on the A1-scale level in the contract of the Minnesota Newspaper and Communications Guild.

To apply:
Please upload a resume and a short memo describing how you would approach this position , including at least three ideas for stories you would like to write.

Questions? Contact Outdoors Editor Andy Putz at andy.putz@startribune.com

More about the Minnesota Star Tribune

At the Minnesota Star Tribune, we recognize that our employees are our greatest asset, and we are committed to their happiness, growth, and well-being. Here's a snapshot of the exceptional benefits we offer:

• Modern Downtown Office: Enjoy a state-of-the-art workspace with a free fitness center, collaborative center, golf simulator, and a rooftop patio.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Includes commuting subsidy, medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Wellness & Work-Life Balance: Participate in our wellness program with financial incentives, generous paid time off, flexible holidays, one volunteer day, and two wellness days.
• Financial & Family Support: Benefit from a 401(k) with company match, paid parental and caregiving leave, hybrid work arrangements, and tuition reimbursement.
• Additional Perks: Access to an employee assistance program, pet insurance, flexible spending accounts, and health savings accounts.

Honored in 2023 with Diversity MBA's inaugural Top 25 Outstanding Leadership and Diversity Impact Awards, we are proud of our commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Even if you don't meet every single requirement for this role, we encourage you to apply. At the Minnesota Star Tribune, we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.