AI Data Reporter/Product Developer

The Connecticut Mirror (CT Mirror), a nonprofit, nonpartisan, digital newsroom that covers statewide public policy and politics, has an immediate opening for a data journalist/product developer who will lead the newsroom’s efforts to build small and large-scale tools and make ethical and mission-aligned use of artificial intelligence in our work. This journalist will be responsible for building, assessing and integrating AI-based tools into our workflow, and will work with the journalism and business teams on smaller scale projects, which may include contributing analysis for individual stories, or automating a process to repackage our investigative stories for multiple platforms. The ideal candidate will have experience experimenting with artificial intelligence, experience in a news organization, and an enthusiasm for devising new and engaging user experiences. They will also work with senior management to ensure that usage of artificial intelligence meets the highest standards and retains readers’ trust.

Responsibilities:
• Oversee our work involving artificial intelligence, including the roll-out of AI tools within the newsroom, and regularly meeting with staff to a) develop goals and a timeline for staff adoption of AI tools, b) provide ongoing training to staff on the use of AI, and c) provide ongoing assistance to staff in incorporating AI tools into their work as AI evolves.
• Create front-end tools that make databases accessible to both staff and readers and enable readers to engage with CT Mirror reporting in creative ways.
• Collaborate with the editorial and business teams to incorporate AI analysis into reporting, audience and fundraising operations.
• Help newsroom and business staff prioritize projects.
• Collect, compile and regularly update data from disparate sources, including town and state websites.
• Work with newsroom leadership to develop/regularly update an AI ethics policy and provide guidance around how to communicate with readers about the use of AI in our reporting.
• Stay up to speed on new AI and newsroom technologies and how they can improve our reporting and operations.

Qualifications:
• Fluency with SQL, Python and at least some experience with JavaScript.
• Experience with cloud technologies, like AWS, GCP or Microsoft Azure.
• Experience leading projects from start to finish, including engaging cross-functionally and with leadership.
• Familiarity with the foundations and capabilities of AI.
• At least three years of experience working in a newsroom is preferred, although we will consider candidates with comparable experience outside of journalism.

CT Mirror was born in 2009 to fill a gap in local news coverage that was the result of downsizing at legacy print newspapers. Since that time, we have become the most trusted source for news about public policy in the state and have grown considerably from our inception. Over the last few years, we have added a three-person investigative team, expanded our coverage area, diversified our staff to better reflect the population of Connecticut, created a legislative internship program in partnership with Connecticut’s flagship state university, and provided more opportunities for young, aspiring journalists.

Here’s our commitment to the candidate whom we hire:
• Annual salary of $75,000 to $90,000 depending on experience.
• Medical and dental benefits, and a 403b retirement savings program with company match.
• Generous paid-time-off policy that includes four weeks of paid vacation, 14 paid federal holidays and personal days.
• Professional development and the opportunity to learn from peers at industry conferences.
• Transparent internal review and feedback process.
• Cell phone stipend.
• You’ll work hard because we’re serious about our mission, but you’ll laugh plenty along the way because we can’t always be serious!
• We embrace the American Press Institute’s Guiding Principles for Nonprofit Newsrooms.