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Working/Functional Title

NRE Journalist

Position Summary

The National Registry of Exonerations (NRE) is a project of the Michigan State University College of Law, the Newkirk Center for Science and Society at University of California Irvine and the University of Michigan Law School. The Registry collects, analyzes and disseminates information about all known exonerations of innocent criminal defendants in the United States, from 1989 to the present. Since it was founded in 2012, the Registry has consistently added more than 200 exonerations to the database annually. In addition, the Registry publishes annual reports as well as issues-based reports. The Project Manager Journalist position will be for an experienced journalist, who will identify cases for the project, gather court documents, write reports and conduct research.

• 25%  Research exoneration cases for addition to the Registry by gathering court documents and news articles about the cases, and by conducting interviews with prosecutors, defense lawyers, investigators and others who worked on those cases.
• 25%  Write in timely fashion, coherent and informative narrative summaries of the cases, from the initial report of the crime through arrest, conviction, appeals and ultimately exoneration.
• 15%  Identify cases in which innocent defendants have been exonerated.
• 15%  Learn and apply the Registry's system of classifying information about exonerations and to apply that classification system to the roughly two to three new cases as they are entered in the database weekly.
• 15%  Work collaboratively with editors and fellow journalists and researchers.
• 5%  Conduct research and reporting as necessary for special Registry reports.

Unit Specific Education/Experience/Skills

Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in Business Administration, Management or field related to the employing unit; three to five years of related and progressively more expansive work experience in project management, business analysis, facilitating/training with a focus on business management; workflow process analysis and implementation of strategic initiatives or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Desired Qualifications

• Ten years of experience as investigative reporter
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent
• Thorough background in the workings of the legal system- criminal and civil
• Ability to write clearly and efficiently
• Experience to uncover sources of information that are publicly available but often difficult to find, including experience making public information requests

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

Application materials must include: 

• Cover Letter
• Current Curriculum Vitae or Resume

Work Hours

STANDARD 8-5

Description of End Date

This is an off-dated position funded for one year from date of hire with possible extension contingent upon funding renewal

Website

www.law.msu.edu

Remote Work Statement

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.