Reporter, Health, Food and Safety

About Us

Consumer Reports (CR) is an independent nonprofit organization committed to ensuring fairness and safety in the marketplace. Renowned for rigorous testing and reliable ratings across thousands of products and services, we extensively report on consumer trends and challenges based on surveys from millions in the U.S. annually. Our evidence-driven approach supports advocacy efforts aimed at consumer rights by collaborating with policymakers and companies to promote safer products and equitable practices. CR offers medical benefits from day one including behavioral health coverage, family planning, and a substantial 401K match, advocating not just for consumers but also our employees.

Role Overview

We seek a versatile reporter skilled at delivering both short- and long-form stories on critical topics such as food safety, product safety, consumer health, nutrition, and medicine. The ideal candidate will dive into complex issues with curiosity and critical thinking, identify credible experts and studies, and produce clear, concise, and engaging content swiftly. This role involves keeping abreast of rapidly evolving beats, accepting editorial tasks including CMS production, quick news updates, and magazine service stories with agility and precision.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain close coverage on CR’s primary issues, particularly food safety and product safety.
• Create a variety of health and food-related stories for print and digital platforms, breaking down misinformation and highlighting the best available evidence.
• Transform scientific testing results by CR’s product and food safety teams into fully-reported stories with expert insights, scientific research, real-life perspectives, and regulatory context.
• Occasionally engage in social media, earned media, or public engagements related to your reporting.

Ideal Candidate Attributes

• At least 2-3 years of investigative reporting experience demonstrating the ability to ask probing questions and uncover important answers.
• Strong deadline management skills, reliably producing at least one captivating, well-structured story weekly amidst competing demands.
• Exceptional writing ability with an aptitude for making complex subjects compelling and accessible.
• Quick learner with an aptitude for assimilating new topics and beats swiftly.
• Highly organized self-starter capable of independent and collaborative work involving multiple teams and platforms.
• Thrives in fast-paced, multitasking environments without sacrificing attention to detail.
• Open to continuous development, welcoming constructive feedback and revising content accordingly.

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree, such as a Master’s in journalism, is advantageous.
• Previous coverage experience in food safety, chemical safety, product safety, nutrition, or medicine is highly valued.
• Demonstrated flexibility in adapting to new beats throughout career.
• Innate curiosity and tenacity in pursuit of information.
• Proficiency with digital publishing tools like WordPress and Google Docs, with ability to learn new software as needed.
• Appreciation for multimedia storytelling and ability to collaborate with designers, video producers, and photo editors.
• Data-oriented approach, utilizing SEO, analytics, and market data to inform story development.
• Enthusiastic collaborator working closely with editors, fact-checkers, scientists, and advocates to produce impactful stories.
• Comfortable representing the organization on camera, microphone, podcasts, and social media platforms.

Compensation and Workplace

Consumer Reports is committed to transparent and equitable pay practices, offering competitive salaries based on geographic location and candidates’ qualifications. Salary ranges are as follows:

• New York/California: $110560 to $112600 annually
• Other locations: $105032 to $106970 annually

Employment is restricted to candidates residing in certain states and Washington, DC. The position does not offer sponsorship or relocation support.

Equal Opportunity Employment

Consumer Reports provides equal employment opportunities without discrimination based on race, color, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability, or any other protected classification. Reasonable accommodations are provided throughout the hiring process as required by law.