Policing And Public Safety Reporter

Policing and Public Safety Reporter

WNYC/Gothamist Newsroom

The WNYC/Gothamist Newsroom is looking for a tenacious, energetic reporter to join our Public Safety team to cover crime, policing and public safety in New York City and surrounding region.

A successful candidate has a proven track record of responding to the scene of breaking news events, speaking to police, witnesses and the public to the bottom of what happened and the root causes of crimes and incidents. This reporter will also look for and report on larger truths about the systems that keep New Yorkers safe, or fail to do so. This person does not hesitate to knock on doors, embed in underserved communities, scour public records and make dozens of phone calls to uncover the facts. We are looking for a reporter who is painstakingly fair – listening with an open mind to the perspectives of law enforcement, community members, activists and experts to ensure their stories are balanced and accurate. The ideal reporter is eager to build on skill sets, learn from mistakes, and collaborate with colleagues.

This is a key role in a newsroom that is rapidly expanding and evolving how it covers the most fascinating region in America during a pivotal moment. The WNYC newsroom strives to make the New York/New Jersey region work for the people who live here, and has ambitious goals to reach new, diverse audiences through impactful, audience-focused journalism. Our reporters produce content for live air, on-demand podcasts and our website, Gothamist.com.

Responsibilities:

• Consistently meet daily publishing deadlines
• Conceive, source and pitch stories on a variety of topics that will engage listeners and readers, answering pressing questions and giving daily utility that drives daily audience habits
• Develop sources that lead to scoops our audience can’t get elsewhere
• Effectively coordinate with other editors and digital journalists for maximum reach across our platforms
• Build sources, including in the difficult to penetrate NYPD
• Report and produce original news stories in both text and audio form that are clear, thorough, fair, timely and accurate
• Enthusiastically participate in newsroom-wide efforts to improve workflows, policies, and various practices as requested
• Participate fully as a member of the public safety coverage team by contributing to coverage plans, meetings, brainstorming sessions, and newsroom projects

Qualifications:

• Familiarity with public safety, its news ecosystem and culture
• The ability to work effectively with the public and colleagues at New York Public Radio
• Deep commitment to accurate, ethical journalism, and impeccable journalistic integrity and judgment
• Experience using production systems and software tools required to edit, produce and curate content
• Demonstrated knowledge of complex social and cultural issues
• Three years professional reporting experience at a reputable news organization
• Experience with audience-centered engagement projects strongly preferred
• Ability to see the story that is going to engage audiences and to anticipate reader/listener interests
• Superb communication skills, including public speaking skills, the ability to multitask, and experience covering breaking news
• Demonstrated commitment and ability to contribute an equity lens to every aspect of reporting
• Self-starter with proven ability to meet deadlines and pay close attention to detail and fact-checking
• Experience covering breaking news and developing sources
• Competence in SEO and other digital audience skills
• Aptitude and comfort producing a broad range of content, including audio, text news stories, and social media

Additional Information

This is a full-time role with a salary range of $84,413-$86,000 per year (plus a full benefits package). Salary offered within this range is determined by skills, experience and organizational pay equity. New York Public Radio offers excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance, vacation, personal and sick time as well as parental leave.

This role is currently operating in a hybrid capacity, with the ability to sometimes work from home. However, this position is part of the NYC staff and will be expected to work from the NYC office on specified days with regularity.

Given this role will be in the office/studios, being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 is required unless NYPR has approved a specific religious or medical exemption in advance of the first day of work. At this time, NYPR defines being fully vaccinated as having received two Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccinations or one Johnson and Johnson vaccination.

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement between New York Public Radio and SAG-AFTRA.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

New York Public Radio is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We continuously strive to place our employees at the center of our thinking and elevate inclusive practices to develop and support a more engaged and productive workforce. Our journalism and operations in the service of that journalism benefit from a broad range of perspectives, from all backgrounds, at all levels of the organization. Diversity is essential to honest, authentic, accurate storytelling and reportage; creating an institution in which all voices are encouraged, valued, and heard.

Equal Opportunity

New York Public Radio is an equal opportunity employer committed to achieving the goal of equal employment opportunity for all. Applicants and employees are considered and evaluated for positions without regard to mental or physical disability, race, creed, color, religion, gender, national origin, citizenship status, age, genetic information, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, employment status or any protected federal, state or local status unrelated to the performance of the work involved.