Investigative Reporter

Streetsblog NYC, the city's leading transportation news site, is looking for an investigative reporter to add an entirely new element to our coverage of the fight to improve our communities, reduce road violence and sprawl, promote sustainable transportation modes and cycling and demand equity in policing and distribution of city services.

The position
Full-time investigative reporter ($90,000-$100,000 per year, plus amazing benefits)

Job description
Streetsblog NYC currently does a good job of covering breaking news and providing second-day analysis of transportation issues. But we need to continue developing our investigative desk with a reporter who can dive into datasets or stay on a story across months and multiple FOIL requests to discover deeper flaws in how the city provides services or allocates resources. We need a reporter who can, for example:

Analyze how crashes disproportionately happen in low-income areas.
Analyze how city resources are disproportionately allocated to high-income areas.
Understand the inner workings of agency divisions to ascertain why good ideas (such as creating new travel lanes for bikes and pedestrians on city bridges) never happen.
Analyze vehicle purchasing patterns and fuel use in the city fleet.
Track campaign donations to candidates from car and fossil fuel interests.
Analyze contracts
Analyze the NYPD’s bias against pedestrians, cyclists and people of color.

This is the right job for you if you want to hold politicians accountable for denying their constituents better transit, safer commutes and, in short, livable cities. This is not the job for you if you think electric cars are "cool."

This is a reporting position, first and foremost, but Streetsblog NYC exists to make the case for livable streets and to advocate for the majority of Americans who are oppressed by poor transit and urban design that to this day favors cars over people.

Context
Since creating our investigative desk in 2021, Streetsblog has done multiple extensive investigations:

We revealed how shoddy laws in New Jersey and Georgia led to a massive increase in illegal temporary tags, often affixed to cars involved in crimes. This series won a Polk Award.
We revealed how streets around schools are the most dangerous in town — exactly at the hours when children are arriving and leaving the building.
We revealed how the NYPD routinely (and illegally) dismisses 311 complaints against drivers who make roadways unsafe.
We uncovered the mechanism inside City Hall that allows Mayor Adams to stymie road safety projects without any accountability.

Qualifications

At least four years as a reporter (preferably as an investigative reporter).
Command of basic journalistic writing.
Ability to make and work sources.
Ability to identify topics that require deeper investigation that may take place over many months or multiple posts.
Understanding of New York City politics and players.
Ability to come up with one's own story ideas as well as comfort with taking directions from the editor.

Application process

To apply, click here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSem3OM6RCw2_rhOsTpYZ04PjSrbjV-kxt-CD9CP37iJNIFTrA/viewform?usp=sf_link

This Google form will allow to upload a cover letter, resume and PDFs of writing samples directly to our editors. It may take a few weeks for Streetsblog to get back in touch, but the automated response will tell you that yes, indeed, we have received your stuff.

The second round will include an in-person interview and each candidate will be asked to pitch three stories that meet the job description.

Final thing

Streetsblog is eager to hire a journalist/activist 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 New York’s 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.