Data Reporter (Education and Local Government)

The Houston Chronicle is seeking a data reporter to produce high-impact data stories that help readers understand and explore how schools, local governments and other public institutions shape their daily lives.

This position sits on our data visualization team, which produces quick-turn, graphics-focused stories, interactive projects and data-driven deep dives. The data journalist will collaborate closely with reporters and editors across the newsroom — particularly in education and local government — to find original angles and deliver high-impact journalism that readers can’t get anywhere else.

We’re seeking a self-starter with high standards who can collaborate well, has excellent communication skills, and is comfortable providing and taking feedback. We want a teammate who aspires to be a key player in an exciting, modern news operation that values a smart, local readership and aims to take risks in how we report and present journalism online.

Key responsibilities

• Analyze, interpret and visualize large public datasets to produce compelling graphics- and data-driven stories
• Collaborate with beat reporters and editors to identify opportunities where data can strengthen coverage.
• Help raise data literacy across the newsroom by documenting work, sharing methods and occasionally leading trainings.

We’re looking for someone who

• Has at least 5 years of experience working with large, complex datasets in a newsroom setting.
• Understands how to interrogate public data, particularly related to public employees and government systems; familiarity with education data is a plus.
• Has strong news judgment and can move quickly without sacrificing accuracy.
• Is comfortable using Python, R or similar tools to clean, analyze and present data.
• Brings creativity and curiosity to finding stories hidden in spreadsheets and databases.
• Works well with colleagues across teams and thrives in a collaborative environment.
• Is eager to experiment with new storytelling forms and ways of engaging readers.
• (Bonus) Has skills in web development, data visualization or mapping/GIS.

Success is measured by

• Producing exclusive, data-driven journalism that distinguishes the Chronicle’s coverage.
• Helping elevate education and local government coverage by surfacing original storylines
• Delivering clean, accurate and well-documented analysis that builds trust with readers.
• Collaborating effectively across teams to ensure the Chronicle makes the most of public data.
• Contributing to a culture of innovation, experimentation and data literacy in the newsroom.

Requirements

• This position is full-time.
• It will likely include some weekend and holiday work.
• The successful candidate must be based in Houston or willing to move to the area.