Staff Writer, Budget and Appropriations

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Staff Writer, Budget and Appropriations

🔹 Company: FiscalNote

🔹 Location: Washington, District of Columbia, United States

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time Employee

🔹 Category: Journalism

🔹 Date Posted: 2025-07-17

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Leading coverage of the federal budget and appropriations process
• Writing a mix of breaking news and enterprise stories
• Contributing to a daily newsletter
• Participating in podcasts related to budget and fiscal policy
• Collaborating with other reporters and working under deadline pressure

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of federal budgets and the ability to work well under deadline pressure. It also involves some nights and weekends work, as Congress often does.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Writing a mix of breaking news and enterprise stories on the federal budget and appropriations process

✅ Contributing to a daily newsletter for subscribers

✅ Participating in podcasts and webinars to share beat reporting

✅ Pitching unique story ideas and executing on them

✅ Reporting from the halls of Congress and poring through documents

✅ Working collaboratively with other reporters and sharing bylines

✅ Writing or updating member profiles for CQ’s Guide to the New Congress and other products

✅ Working some late nights and weekends, depending on House and Senate schedules

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a deep understanding of the journalistic values of accuracy, objectivity, fairness, and editorial independence.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Political Science, or a related field

Experience: 5-7 years of work experience covering Congress for daily newspapers, news websites, news magazines, wire services, or other news outlets. Applicants who have covered a state legislature or other policy-making institution will be considered if they meet other beat requirements.

Required Skills:

• Ability to work with and understand numbers
• Ability to write concise, sharp, and engaging copy under deadline pressure
• Track record in cultivating a network of sources on and off Capitol Hill
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and mastery of AP style
• Deep understanding of the journalistic values of accuracy, objectivity, fairness, and editorial independence
• Comfort in working with a variety of content management and publishing production systems. Knowledge of WordPress is helpful.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with podcasting and other multimedia platforms
• Familiarity with the legislative process and congressional dynamics

ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, proficiency in English is required for this role.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $70,000 - $95,000 annually

Benefits:

• Competitive salaries
• Retirement accounts
• Equity packages
• Comprehensive benefits packages

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with some nights and weekends work required

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a journalist with 5-7 years of experience covering Congress.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Media and Journalism

Company Size: 11-50 employees

Founded: 2021

Company Description:

• FiscalNote is a leader in policy and global intelligence
• Combines data, technology, and insights to empower customers with critical insights and the tools to turn them into action
• Home to CQ, FrontierView, VoterVoice, and many other industry-leading brands

Company Specialties:

• Policy and global intelligence
• Data, technology, and insights
• Journalism and media

Company Website: https://www.fiscalnote.com/

ASSUMPTION: FiscalNote is a growing company with a focus on providing nonpartisan news, in-depth analysis, and legislative tracking about Congress, the administration, and federal agencies.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Mid-level to senior journalist

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the editor-in-chief or a senior editor

Work Arrangement: On-site, with some remote work possible for certain tasks

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to advance to a senior writer or editor role
• Opportunity to expand coverage and influence the direction of the beat
• Chance to work on special projects and investigations

ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for growth and advancement within the company and the industry.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: On-site, with a focus on collaboration and teamwork

Office Location(s): Washington, DC

Geographic Context:

• Washington, DC is the political and legislative hub of the United States
• The city offers a vibrant cultural scene, with numerous museums, theaters, and restaurants
• Washington, DC has a humid subtropical climate, with hot, humid summers and mild winters

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, with some nights and weekends work required

ASSUMPTION: The location of this role is ideal for journalists covering Congress and the federal government.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Initial screening of application materials
• Phone or video call with the hiring manager
• In-person or virtual interview with the team
• Final interview with the editor-in-chief or a senior editor

Key Assessment Areas:

• Writing skills and AP style
• Knowledge of congressional dynamics and the legislative process
• Ability to work under deadline pressure
• Cultural fit and alignment with company values

Application Tips:

• Submit four (4) samples of work from newspapers, news websites, or news magazines that demonstrate unbiased policy and political coverage
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills
• Prepare for writing tests and interviews that assess your knowledge of congressional dynamics and the legislative process

ATS Keywords: Congress, federal budget, appropriations, policy, political coverage, journalism, AP style, deadline, collaboration, podcasting

ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is competitive and requires a strong portfolio of work samples and a deep understanding of congressional dynamics and the legislative process.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Content management systems (e.g., WordPress)
• Writing and editing software (e.g., Microsoft Word, Google Docs)
• Podcasting equipment and software (e.g., microphones, recording software)

ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies required for this role are standard for journalists and can be learned on the job if necessary.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Know your audience
• Find the truth
• Drive alignment
• Level up
• Own the job
• Bias for action
• Support the family

Work Style:

• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Fast-paced and deadline-driven
• Adaptable and flexible

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you have a deep understanding of federal budgets and the legislative process?
• Can you work well under deadline pressure and adapt to changing priorities?
• Are you comfortable working in a collaborative and team-oriented environment?

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong cultural fit with the company's values and work style.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Working long hours and weekends, depending on congressional schedules
• Dealing with tight deadlines and breaking news
• Navigating the complex and often contentious world of politics and policy
• Competing with other journalists for scoops and exclusives

ASSUMPTION: These challenges are inherent to the role and require a strong work ethic, adaptability, and resilience.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is similar to other staff writer or reporter positions covering Congress or similar institutions
• However, this role requires a deeper understanding of federal budgets and the ability to work under tight deadlines
• Career progression may vary depending on the organization and industry

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to cover a high-profile and competitive beat in the nation's capital.

📝 Sample Projects

• Breaking news stories on congressional action or inaction on federal budgets and appropriations
• In-depth enterprise stories on the impact of federal spending on specific industries or regions
• Podcast episodes or webinars featuring interviews with key players in the budget and appropriations process

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the range of work required for this role and the opportunity to make a significant impact on the beat.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• What are the biggest challenges facing the federal budget and appropriations process in the coming years?
• How does this role fit into the broader coverage of CQ Roll Call and FiscalNote?
• What opportunities are there for growth and advancement within the company?
• How does the company support work-life balance for its employees?
• What is the company's approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion?

ASSUMPTION: These questions help assess the company's priorities, culture, and commitment to employee growth and well-being.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills
• Prepare four (4) samples of work from newspapers, news websites, or news magazines that demonstrate unbiased policy and political coverage
• Prepare for writing tests and interviews that assess your knowledge of congressional dynamics and the legislative process
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after your interview to express your continued interest in the position

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.