Reporter
Salary: $55,000-$75,000
StreetsblogNYC, a Polk Award-winning news outlet covering the movement for better transit, street safety and livable communities, needs a hard-working reporter to cover the full range of transportation issues in this vibrant world capital. This includes, but is not limited to, the MTA, the city and state Department of Transportation, buses, commuter rail, bike lanes, pedestrian safety, Vision Zero and, no less important, basic city and state politics.
The ideal candidate
The ideal candidate is obsessed with urban design (what's with those bizarre speed humps on Staten Island?), transportation equity (why isn't Fair Fares living up to its name?), political game-playing (why do some politicians protect the interests of the car-owning minority rather than the majority of us who need better transit?), and devouring RFP or ULURP documents (and if you need to know what those terms mean, maybe this isn't the job for you).
In short, if you think of free parking as "on-street car storage," you've already earned yourself an interview for the job.
The person who is hired will take over a beat that includes delivery workers, e-bikes and mopeds (including fires), and the City of Yes zoning plan, but will also be tailored to the reporter’s skill set and experience.
Most important: We live in a rapidly changing journalistic environment. The ideal candidate is well steeped in using and visualizing data to both find stories in otherwise innocuous data bases, but also create interactive components to our stories.
Minimum qualifications
Two years of experience as a working reporter.
A proactive approach to journalism and the ability to quickly pivot to breaking news as needed.
A high level of organization and ability to juggle multiple tasks.
Enjoyment at working in a fast-paced work environment
A strong knowledge of issues relevant to sustainable transportation advocates in New York City
Lots of ideas!
About Streetsblog
Streetsblog connects people to information about how to reduce dependence on automobiles and improve conditions for walking, biking, and transit. Streetsblog raises the profile of these issues with policy makers and turns arcane topics like mandatory parking requirements, zoning legislation, inequitable policing and induced traffic into accessible stories for a broad audience.
Streetsblog stories have made the case for progressive policy changes that are saving lives, expanding access to affordable and equitable transit and other transportation options, and creating a more sustainable future.
To apply
Send a resume, cover letter and three examples of prior work that show you are the ideal candidate to gersh@streetsblog.org with the subject line “Reporter 2024.” This position will be filled by April 30, 2024.
Final thing
Streetsblog is eager to hire a team member who will broaden our coverage geographically, racially, culturally, demographically, politically and even modally. This position will go to someone who brings a unique personal experience and background, not necessarily someone who reflects Streetsblog's current approach. We have a small staff, so whoever is hired will quickly become a true leader in urbanism media. Please emphasize your specific abilities to do that in your cover letter.
Streetsblog is a registered non-profit supported by grants and donations. Please note the salary range for this job and do not apply if it does not meet your financial needs.