Freelance Data Journalist for Climate Policy Reports

About Switchbox

Switchbox is an independent, non-profit, and non-partisan think tank dedicated to supporting the energy transition in the United States. We provide evidence-based insights into state climate policy, helping policymakers and advocates make informed decisions. Our team specializes in data science, economics, and energy modeling to fill the current gap in state-level, data-driven analysis.

Switchbox’s typical reports are aimed at informed non-specialists, are 3,000 to 10,000 words, take 1-2 months of data analysis, and are written collaboratively over 2-3 weeks.

Our queue of projects has expanded recently. We’re looking for immediate help on projects in progress, and we would love to grow into collaborating throughout the project lifecycle.

Job Description

We are seeking a skilled freelance data journalist to collaborate with our data scientists in producing insightful, data-focused reports on state climate policy. The ideal candidate will have experience in translating complex data into clear, engaging narratives that can influence policy and public opinion.

Responsibilities

- Work closely with our data scientists to understand and interpret analytical findings
- Write clear, compelling reports on topics related to state climate policy and energy transition
- Integrate charts and figures deeply into the reports, working closely with data scientists and designers to ensure that the story is told effectively
- Translate complex data and technical information into accessible language for a broad audience
- Ensure accuracy and clarity in all written materials
- Meet deadlines and manage time effectively over the course of projects

Qualifications

- Experience: Proven experience as a journalist or writer, with a portfolio showcasing work on data-intensive topics
- Technical Skills: Comfortable working with spreadsheets at minimum; we work primarily in R, so some skill with R is a nice-to-have
- Writing Skills: Excellent writing and editing abilities, with a keen eye for detail
- Communication: Strong interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with a multidisciplinary team
- Knowledge: Familiarity with energy policy, climate change, or economics is a plus but not required

Compensation

- Rate: $70–$100 per hour, commensurate with experience

Time Commitment

- Start Date: Immediate
- Duration: Approximately 20 hours per week for the next six weeks, with potential for future collaboration