What are the responsibilities and job description for the Staff Writer - Transportation position at Clearstate Pte. Ltd?
Introduction
Washington’s CQ Roll Call brings up-to-date news, analysis and insights to senior decision-makers on Capitol Hill. This trusted source of unbiased, impartial information provides authoritative, nonpartisan and accurate congressional news and legislative tracking tools to its subscribers. Through more than 40 print and online products, CQ Roll Call keeps readers updated on a weekly, daily and real-time basis covering every legislative action in Congress with breaking news, bill tracking, and member profiles and offers insight on the people and institutions that influence public policy and legislation.
CQ Roll Call’s parent, The Economist Group, is the leading source of analysis on international business and world affairs. The brands are bound together by their objective opinion, original insight and advocacy of economic, political and democratic freedom around the world.
CQ Roll Call is seeking a highly motivated reporter to write on U.S. domestic policy and legislation. The ideal candidate brings to the post an enthusiasm for the development of policy, the energy and determination to dig into the details and the ability to explain them clearly and quickly on multiple platforms including blogs, mobile, tablets and podcasts. In writing news copy, the candidate must demonstrate a high degree of accuracy and fairness, as well as correct grammar and spelling. Precision of thought and organization are also necessary. Flexibility and an ability to adapt to change are key for any candidate. Familiarity with the tools used to create compelling graphics and video are considered a strong plus for any candidate.
Accountabilities
In the role you would be expected to:
- Master the basics of a given beat or beats, including understanding how legislation moves through Congress, the congressional budget process, rulemaking and the structure of the relevant executive branch agencies
- Develop a deep and thorough understanding of policy in a given beat or beats as well as the key players on all sides, the politics and the stakeholders’ interests
- Regularly contributing newsy items to CQ Now and Action Alerts
- Write spot news stories of varying lengths on a daily basis that are timely, interesting, succinct and forward-looking
- Write substantial, long-term enterprise stories that may reveal new aspects of policy or analyze the impact of policy
- Regularly contributions to other special projects such as topic pages, briefing papers and profiles
- Recognize the interests and expectations of CQ clients and subscribers
- Come up with incisive story ideas as well as review copy before turning it in to be sure it is free of errors, style mistakes, typos or inaccuracies
- Maintain contacts with a broad network of sources and provide timely, even-handed and informative news and analysis
- Deploy social media to publicize CQ
- Identify the major players on crucial beats and forging relationships with those individuals
Experience, skills and professional attributes
To succeed in the role you must have:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience, preferably in an online news environment
- Proven organizational skills and attention to detail
- Strong interpersonal communications skills
- Ability to switch quickly among news priorities
- Familiarity with the tools used to create compelling graphics and video
To succeed in the role you will be able to demonstrate:
- Knowledge of the legislative process
- Knowledge of transportation issues, including aviation and surface transportation
- A collaborative work style and the ability to be a team player with other CQ reporters and editors
- Flexibility and an ability to adapt to change as well as a high degree of accuracy and fairness, as well as correct grammar and spelling
- A strong work ethic and adaptation to changing news situations, including a willingness to work odd hours when news happens
- Ability to meet deadlines and ensure that copy is free of misspellings, style errors or mistakes
- Ability to work with editors to develop story ideas, schedule them and deliver them on time while keeping in close touch with editors about developments on news beat