Reporter or Editor New York Reporter
Job Description
Chalkbeat, the growing nonprofit news organization covering the story of public education in America, is seeking a hard-charging reporter to join our New York bureau.
It’s an incredible time be covering education in New York. The past few months have seen an onslaught of news carrying profound implications for students and families in the nation’s largest school district — from the dramatic arrival of a new schools chancellor to a controversial proposal to change admission practices at the city’s most selective high schools. Chalkbeat has been at the forefront of these and other stories, breaking news and providing smart analysis of the implications on policy and politics — from visiting classrooms to cornering lawmakers in Albany as part of our state coverage. We’re looking for a reporter who can jump in immediately, contribute smart ideas, and execute both quick-turn and long-term enterprise stories.
You won’t just be responsible for conceiving and executing daily news stories; you’ll be tasked with providing crucial context for what is happening, who is affected, and why. You’ll analyze public policy decisions at the district and state level and assess the impact on educators, families, and communities. You will scrutinize the people calling the shots.
Who are you?
You are committed to local journalism and respect the transformative power a good story can wield. You’re a self-starter who is hungry to break news, eager to understand and inform vital public policy debates, and enthusiastic about creating new models for sustainable journalism. You’re a strong beat reporter who can develop reliable sources and beat the competition. You’ve got the ability to write a range of stories, from breaking news to enterprise and long-term investigative projects. Most important, you can serve as a guide for our readers — school personnel, education insiders, parents, students, and curious citizens — in explaining how education in New York works. And you’re not afraid to call its leaders to task when warranted.
What background and skills do you have? (We know not all strong candidates willl have all the skills we list. That’s OK. What else do you bring to the table? Please tell us!)
- Reporting experience, preferably in digital, with a focus on public policy issues and/or education. (We’re open to hiring veteran reporters and up-and-coming journalists alike.)
- A passion for education and the future of New York and its children.
- Specific knowledge about education issues and the city of New York are strong pluses, but not required.
- Experience in data journalism and visual production is a plus.
- Ability to report in a language other than English — one that will help us connect with the diverse communities of New York — is a plus.
The position will be based at our New York office, conveniently located near Penn Station and many subway lines.
This is a full-time positions with benefits. Chalkbeat offers a competitive salary, commensurate with experience, and a generous benefits package, including a paid winter recess from December 26-31.
About Chalkbeat:
Chalkbeat is the nonprofit news organization committed to covering one of America’s most important stories: the effort to improve schools for all children, especially those who have historically lacked access to a quality education. We are mission-driven journalists who believe that an independent local press is vital to ensuring that education improves. Currently in seven locations and growing, we seek to provide deep local coverage of education policy and practice that informs decisions and actions, leading to better schools. Read more about our mission and values.
