Addiction Reporter

Job Description:

The Boston Globe is looking for an addiction reporter to lead coverage of drug and alcohol addiction and misuse, problem gambling, and vaping and how these behaviors intersect with mental illness, soaring economic inequality, and homelessness in New England.  The reporter will examine the causes of addiction and the societal impact, as well as do accountability reporting on access to treatment and solutions. 

Responsibilities:

• Tell smart, compelling stories about addiction on topics such as new dangers in the illicit drug supply; rising use and social stigma; the quality and effectiveness of addiction treatment; how funds from opioid settlements are being used or misused; research on non-addictive pain medications; and innovative approaches to prevent substance use disorders and curb overdose deaths.
• Cover news, including research on addiction prevalence and treatments and find stories on trends emerging in public health data.
• Work alongside and sometimes in collaboration with other Globe reporters who report on aspects of the opioid crisis.
• Contribute items to Globe newsletters, participate in Globe events, and cover breaking news stories from time to time.

Qualifications: 

• At least five years of journalism experience required, preferably covering health or substance abuse issues.
• Proven ability to break news, generate ideas, dive deep, clarify the complex, and write with precision and compassion.
• Productiveness working alone and ability to collaborate with others.
• Willingness to try out different story forms.
• A willingness to adapt and be audience focused, with a curious mindset and a commitment to creating an inclusive work environment 

This position is a union position covered by a collective bargaining agreement with the Boston Newspaper Guild.

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Vaccination Statement:

We require that all BGMP employees (including temporary employees, co-ops, interns, and independent contractors) be vaccinated from COVID-19, unless an exemption from this policy has been granted as an accommodation or otherwise. All BGMP employees, regardless of vaccination status or work location, must provide proof of vaccination status as instructed by the employee's designated Human Resources contact. Employees may request a reasonable accommodation or other exemption from this policy by contacting their designated Human Resources contact. Failure to comply with or enforce any part of this policy, or misrepresentation of compliance with this policy, may result in discipline, up to and including termination of employment, subject to reasonable accommodation and other requirements of applicable federal, state, and local law.

EEO Statement:

Boston Globe Media Partners is an equal employment opportunity employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, military or veteran status, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition or any other protected characteristic. Boston Globe Media Partners is committed to diversity in its most inclusive sense.