Editor’s note: Our search for a national reporter to take
over Streetsblog Capitol Hill wouldn’t be complete without putting
out a call to the audience with the greatest passion for livable streets
and sustainable transportation policy — our readers. To
apply, send a resume, cover letter, and relevant clips to jobs [at]
streetsblog [dot] org.
We are looking for a talented professional journalist, eager to
make an impact, to take over Streetsblog’s national coverage — creating
original online content, interpreting news, and managing freelance
writers and reporters. Building on the initial success of Streetsblog Capitol Hill,
Streetsblog’s national reporter will research, write, and edit
enterprise stories about the movement to reform the American
transportation system by reducing motor vehicle congestion and
automobile dependence, while improving conditions for transit use,
cycling, and walking.
The ideal candidate shares our vision of Streetsblog as a
respected, insightful information hub about how transportation and land
use policy are shaped at the federal, state, and local levels — and why
those policies should be improved. With Congress and the Obama
administration dragging their feet on the passage of a critically
important five-year transportation bill, Streetsblog’s national coverage
will be essential both to make the case for reform to an influential
audience of insiders, and to attract a constituency of grassroots
advocates to press for more sustainable transportation and development
policies.
Responsibilities
Streetsblog combines a distinct advocacy bent with
newspaper-quality journalism. Toward that end, we are seeking a reporter
with previous professional experience to do original research,
interviews, investigation and coverage of events, and to develop and
manage a stable of freelance contributors to round out the beat. The
ideal candidate will be comfortable with the notion that journalism can
be conducted with integrity and fidelity to the truth while retaining a
point of view. The reporter and freelance staff will be expected to:
- Produce engaging enterprise pieces about local transportation
stories happening around the country: Bus cuts in Atlanta, highway
widenings in Kentucky, freeway-tolling fights in Pennsylvania, transit
expansion plans in Los Angeles, bike and pedestrian safety projects in
Indianapolis — all are part of the national Streetsblog beat. - Manage the flow of transportation-related news from Congress in a
timely manner: Track bills and provide updates on the status of
transportation-related legislation. - Conduct in-depth interviews and Q&As with lawmakers,
lobbyists, activists, and experts. - Cultivate relationships with advocacy groups and lobbyists
working on federal transportation issues and state-level implementation.
This includes everyone from environmental activists to highway
lobbyists to state DOT watchdogs.
Qualifications
- Professional journalism experience, ideally covering the
legislative process and/or transportation policy issues, and experience
managing and editing other journalists - Passion for and knowledge of progressive urban planning,
transportation, and land use policy
issues - Excellent writing and research skills, as evidenced by clips
- Experience with Word Press or other blogging/content production
technologies is a big plus
To Apply
Send a resume, cover letter, and relevant clips/links to jobs [at]
streetsblog [dot] org. This position is full-time.
