Posted On: February 7, 2014
Journalism Job
Media Organization: Chalkbeat
Company Description
Chalkbeat New York is a founding bureau of Chalkbeat, the award-winning nonprofit news organization covering efforts to transform education across the country. Launched in 2008 and known until recently as GothamSchools, Chalkbeat New York focuses its coverage on New York City schools and state education policy. We seek to provide deep local coverage of education policy and practice that informs decisions and actions, leading to better schools.
Chalkbeat was founded in 2013 as a merger of GothamSchools and EdNews Colorado, now known as Chalkbeat Colorado. While our bureaus work together to sustain their operations and benefit from a cross-bureau managing editor, each bureau is editorially independent.
Job Description
Chalkbeat, the national education news organization, is seeking an experienced journalist to edit Chalkbeat New York.
The ideal candidate will have experience reporting and editing about public policy issues — preferably K-12 education — for a major news organization. She or he will be entrepreneurial, creative, energetic, and a tenacious reporter and editor. The position involves leading a dynamic team of journalists; crafting a short- and long-term strategy for developing and distributing stories and engaging with readers; and working with Chalkbeat as we grow a national network of local education news sites.
Job responsibilities
The New York City bureau chief will be responsible for the following:
o Daily oversight of the newsroom including
o Managing a staff of three reporters and a community editor
o Assigning, editing, and writing a variety of stories (breaking news, analysis, investigative pieces, enterprise and features, newsletters, and aggregation), with special attention to innovative modes of presenting digital journalism
o Ensuring that content finds its audience through social media and other distribution pathways
• Working with Chalkbeat’s managing editor to create and execute short- and long-term strategies for developing stories that achieve our mission
• Working with Chalkbeat’s engagement director to create and execute strategies to ensure that our stories reach their intended audience, including education insiders, parents, and the general public
• Working with Chalkbeat New York’s community editor to plan and execute live events that connect our readers and our reporting
• Collaborating with Chalkbeat’s other bureau chiefs on editorial projects and strategic planning
Qualifications
We are seeking candidates who are energized by our mission and excited to help us build a news organization that re-imagines daily newsgathering without abandoning traditional journalistic values. Candidates should have strong reporting and editing skills, a passion for (and ideally, a strong familiarity with) the subject matter, and experience leading a team.
In particular, you should have:
• At least three years of journalism experience, with some management experience preferred
• A high level of comfort with the exciting opportunities and challenges inherent in helping to lead a start-up organization
• Strong organizational skills and an ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
Experience on the education beat, a familiarity with New York, and experience running a WordPress website are pluses but not requirements. Compensation depends on experience and is competitive with full benefits package and, after one year of service, a 401k.
To Apply
Please send a resume, five relevant clips, and a cover letter explaining your interest in the position to Elizabeth Green and Philissa Cramer at team@chalkbeat.org.
While awaiting its non-profit designation from the IRS, Chalkbeat is a project of the Colorado Non-Profit Development Center (CNDC). CNDC is the legal governing body of this organization and is responsible for legal and fiscal oversight of this project; all positions are employees of CNDC. CNDC is dedicated to equal employment opportunities in any term, condition, or privilege of employment. CNDC prohibits unlawful discrimination against applicants or employees based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, sex, age 40 and over, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, gender expression or any other characteristic protected by state or local law.