The Washington Post is seeking an aggressive and insightful reporter to cover climate and environmental policy at a pivotal moment for the nation and the planet.

This reporter will play a central role in covering how federal agencies are writing rules that affect the climate, environmental protection and natural resources. The beat spans the Environmental Protection Agency, the Interior Department – including the Bureau of Land Management and the National Park Service – along with NOAA and other key institutions This position will focus on breaking news, driving accountability and delivering high-impact enterprise on how policy decisions affect businesses, ecosystems and communities.

We’re looking for a journalist who can move seamlessly between scoops, analysis and enterprise reporting — someone who can track complex regulatory shifts, uncover the forces driving them and illuminate their real-world consequences. The ideal candidate will bring sharp reporting instincts, strong source development and a clear understanding of how environmental policy intersects with politics, economics and science.

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

What Motivates You: 

• You are driven to break news on one of the most consequential policy areas of our time. 

• You are curious about how government decisions shape the environment and public health. 

• You enjoy unpacking complex regulations and translating them into clear, compelling journalism. 

• You are motivated to hold powerful institutions accountable. 

• You thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced newsroom environment. 

How You’ll Support the Mission: 

• Break news on major developments in climate and environmental policy across key federal agencies. 

• Cover the Environmental Protection Agency, Interior Department, NOAA and related institutions. 

• Track and explain regulatory decisions on issues such as greenhouse gas emissions, toxic chemicals, renewable energy, offshore drilling and public lands management. 

• Identify and drive enterprise stories that examine how policy changes affect businesses, ecosystems and communities. 

• Investigate and report on the political, economic and scientific forces shaping environmental policy. 

• Produce clear, authoritative reporting under tight deadlines while maintaining the highest standards of accuracy and fairness. 

• Collaborate with reporters, data journalists, visual teams and editors across the newsroom to deliver impactful storytelling. 

The Skills and Experiences You Bring: 

• A track record of breaking news and producing impactful reporting on a competitive beat. 

• Experience covering environmental policy, energy, science, politics or related fields. 

• Strong source-building skills and the ability to navigate complex government institutions. 

• Ability to understand and explain regulatory and scientific issues to a broad audience. 

• Clear, engaging writing style and the ability to work quickly under deadline pressure. 

• A collaborative mindset and a commitment to rigorous, fair-minded journalism. 

Interested candidates should upload a résumé, cover letter and three examples of their work (as PDFs) to our jobs portal by Mar. 31. The cover letter should be addressed to Deputy Health and Science Editor Paulina Firozi, Health and Science Editor Lynh Bui, Deputy Futures Editor Juliet Eilperin and Futures Editor Zachary Goldfarb. 

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.