Data Storyteller

Are you able to translate data into rich stories about racial justice issues? The Death Penalty Information Center is seeking a Data Storyteller to be the project lead in creating engaging content about the racial history of the death penalty.

About the Death Penalty Information Center

The Death Penalty Information Center (DPIC) in Washington, DC is a non-profit organization serving the media and the public with analysis and information on capital punishment. DPIC promotes informed discussion of the death penalty by preparing in-depth reports, conducting briefings for journalists, and serving as a resource to those working on this issue. DPIC maintains extensive datasets, including information on everyone sentenced to death, executed, exonerated and granted clemency in the modern era of the death penalty. We are an equal opportunity employer, and we strongly value our commitment to racial equity, diversity, and inclusion both in our operations and in the work we do.

About The Position

DPIC seeks interested candidates for a Data Storyteller position. The Data Storyteller will work with a team of DPIC staff to create reports and visualizations to tell the story of the racial history of the death penalty, exploring modern capital punishment’s connection to segregation, lynching, mass incarceration, and racial discrimination throughout U.S. history.

The key responsibilities for this position include:

• Under the supervision of senior DPIC staff, serving as project lead for the creation of a series of DPIC reports on the racial history of the death penalty
• Working with staff and outside partners to research data about the death penalty and systemic racial injustices in targeted jurisdictions
• Analyzing new data from targeted jurisdictions along with DPIC’s extensive data sets to create written and graphic content about the racial history of the death penalty
• Presenting information from the reports to staff, organizational partners, and other stakeholders

Required Skills and Experience

This is a mid-level position, so the applicant should have at least 3 years of experience in a related field, including journalism, social science, criminal justice, data science, public policy, or statistics. In addition, the position requires:

• Commitment to racial equity and social justice, and experience communicating about these topics
• Knowledge of criminal justice issues and interest in capital punishment
• Ability to translate quantitative and qualitative data into compelling narrative and visual content
• Ability to manage short and long-term research projects
• Strong writing and editing skills
• Attention to detail in data analysis and written work product
• Ability to work independently, as part of a team, and with community organizations

Other Helpful Skills and Experience

• Education in a related field, including social science, journalism, criminal justice, data science, public policy, or statistics.
• Excellent oral communication skills
• Experience with Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or Tableau
• Advanced Microsoft Excel Skills (e.g., pivot tables)

How To Apply

Please send a cover letter and resume in a single PDF to careers@deathpenaltyinfo.org. Please also include a sample of previous work product that demonstrates the relevant skills for this role. You can include this sample as a PDF with your resume and cover letter or send a link to an online visualization.

If you have questions about the position, please contact careers@deathpenaltyinfo.org.

Timeline

• Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Other Considerations

• Preference is working in DPIC’s Washington, DC office, but remote work possible
• DPIC strongly encourages applications from historically disadvantaged groups, including Black people, Indigenous people, people of color, LGBTQ+ people, and women

Details at a glance

• Full Time Schedule
• Mid-level
• Benefits
• 401(k) matching
• Health/dental/vision insurance
• Paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave

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