Streetsblog San Francisco is looking for a talented journalist to provide part-time coverage of sustainable transportation and livable streets on the Peninsula and Silicon Valley.
Thanks to a grant from the San Mateo County Health Department, Streetsblog has provided occasional coverage in recent months on bicycle, walking and transportation issues affecting health in SM County from our founding editor Bryan Goebel. As Bryan pursues new opportunities, we're looking for a local journalist to provide part-time coverage of exciting developments in transportation, like high-speed rail, regional bike-share, San Jose's new bike lanes, and the South Bay's first Bus Rapid Transit routes, while elevating the public dialogue on livable streets issues in the area.
We welcome applications from engaging writers who share our vision of Streetsblog as a respected, influential source of information and commentary on transportation and planning issues. The ideal candidate will be familiar with local politics on the Peninsula and have a good feel for how Streetsblog coverage can help advance transportation policies that reduce traffic congestion and car dependence while improving conditions for transit, cycling, and walking.
Responsibilities
Streetsblog combines a distinct advocacy bent with newspaper-quality journalism. Toward that end, we are seeking a reporter to craft a well-rounded beat full of original content, interviews, event coverage and engaging commentary.
The reporter will:
- Provide a stream of two to three articles per month, on average, that builds Streetsblog's audience on the Peninsula and the South Bay
- Research and write enterprise pieces about developments in transportation and planning policy in San Mateo and northwest Santa Clara Counties
- Track ongoing stories, such as pieces of legislation or specific street redesigns, and build narratives around them
- Conduct interviews and cultivate relationships with lawmakers, public officials, advocates, and policy experts
- Produce commentary that holds officials to account for their decisions, and corrects errors and misperceptions that surface in the media
- Pinpoint opportunities for transportation improvements and reforms, and explain what has to change to enact them
Qualifications
- Previous reporting experience, ideally covering transportation or planning issues
- Passion for and knowledge of progressive urban planning, transportation, and land use topics
- Excellent writing and research skills, as evidenced by clips
- Experience with Word Press or other blogging/content production platforms is a big plus
Candidates should be available to begin reporting by November.
To Apply
Send a resume, cover letter, and relevant clips/links to Aaron Bialick: abialick@streetsblog.org and CC Ben Fried: ben@streetsblog.org.
Streetsblog is produced by OpenPlans, a New York City-based non-profit that improves cities using journalism and open-source software. The Peninsula area reporter position is part-time, and will report to editor Aaron Bialick in San Francisco.
