Local Criminal Justice Reporter

Application Instructions

Please list all professional experience and explain any gaps in employment history. All of your application materials, which may include PDF files of work samples and/or links to audio, video, photography or graphics, must be uploaded to the field labeled Resume/Cover Letter/Work Samples to be considered for the position.

Join the future of news

We’re on a mission to deliver riveting storytelling for all of America. At The Washington Post, you’ll help reinvent news. Our work is driven by a deep investigative spirit and enhanced by innovation to bring audiences closer to the stories that matter most.

About Our Team

The Washington Post is powered by the passion and talent of our people. It takes all of us to reinvent news. Beyond our award-winning Newsroom and Opinions teams, we work across many departments, including Brand & Events, Communications, Customer Care, Engineering & Product, Finance, Human Resources, Legal, Marketing & Advertising, Print Operations, and Sales.

Why This Role Matters

The Washington Post is seeking a versatile, energetic and experienced reporter to cover criminal justice in Washington at a time of intense scrutiny and change.

This is a dynamic role at the heart of our Local desk, combining breaking news, enterprise reporting and beat development. The reporter who fills this role will cover crime, courts, policing and the broader criminal justice system in the nation’s capital — delivering timely reporting while also illuminating the deeper forces shaping public safety, accountability and community trust.

We are looking for a journalist who can move seamlessly between fast-paced daily coverage and ambitious storytelling, with a sharp eye for how national issues play out locally — and how developments in Washington resonate beyond the region. The ideal candidate brings strong reporting instincts, a commitment to source-building and the ability to pivot quickly between breaking news and deeper enterprise.

This position is based in our Washington, D.C., newsroom.

What Motivates You:

• You are driven to capture the stories that define public safety and justice in the Washington region.
• You thrive on the urgency of breaking news and the opportunity to pursue meaningful enterprise.
• You are curious about how policing, courts and communities intersect.
• You enjoy building relationships with sources and communities.
• You are collaborative, adaptable and eager to work across a fast-moving newsroom.

How You’ll Support the Mission:

• Cover crime and the criminal justice system in D.C., delivering timely, accurate and engaging reporting.
• Develop and maintain sources across law enforcement, the courts, community organizations and local leadership.
• Serve as a key reporter on major breaking news stories, helping coordinate coverage and synthesize reporting from across the newsroom.
• Track and explain trends in policing, prosecutions and public safety, making complex issues accessible to a broad audience.
• Identify and pursue enterprise stories that examine accountability, systemic challenges and community impact.
• Collaborate with photographers, video journalists, data reporters and editors to produce impactful, multi-format storytelling.
• Spot emerging issues and help shape coverage priorities for the Local desk.
• Produce work that resonates locally while contributing to national conversations about criminal justice.

The Skills and Experiences You Bring:

• A track record of producing strong reporting on a beat or general assignment, ideally in a local news environment.
• Demonstrated ability to move quickly on breaking news while also developing original enterprise.
• Strong source-building skills and a commitment to community-focused reporting.
• Clear, engaging writing style and the ability to explain complex topics.
• Ability to collaborate effectively in a fast-paced newsroom.
• A commitment to accuracy, fairness and the highest standards of journalism.

Interested candidates should upload a résumé, a cover letter and three examples of their work (as PDFs) to our jobs portal. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled, but those received by Apr. 30 will be prioritized. The cover letter should be addressed to Local Editor Theresa Vargas and Deputy Local Editor April Bethea.

The salary range for this position is $97,400 - $162,300. The actual starting salary within this range will depend on individual skills, experience and qualifications as they relate to specific job requirements.

Collaboration makes us stronger. That’s why our offices are designed with open layouts, modern technology, and easy access to transportation. With certain exceptions for newsgathering and business travel, we work on-site five days a week.

Compensation And Benefits

Wherever you are in your life or career, The Washington Post offers comprehensive and inclusive benefits for every step of your journey:

• Competitive medical, dental and vision coverage
• Company-paid pension and 401(k) match
• Three weeks of vacation and up to three weeks of paid sick leave
• Nine paid holidays and two personal days
• 20 weeks paid parental leave for any new parent
• Robust mental health resources
• Backup care and caregiver concierge services
• Gender affirming services
• Pet insurance
• Free Post digital subscription
• Leadership and career development programs

Benefits may vary based on the job, full-time or part-time schedule, location, and collectively bargained status.

Your story awaits. Apply today!

Learn more about The Post at careers.washingtonpost.com.