Climate Policy Correspondent

The New York Times; Washington; On-site; USD 125,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Restricted stock

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401(k) plan

Job summary

The New York Times Climate Desk in Washington, D.C. is seeking a high-energy journalist to cover climate and environmental policy for a daily audience. The role is in-office four days a week with possible remote flexibility per department guidance.

You should have a track record of scoops, strong sourcing across researchers and policymakers, and a fluid writing style capable of connecting dots and telling larger stories about policy impacts.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience working for a daily news organization.
• 3+ years of demonstrated beat authority.
• Portfolio demonstrating well-versed policy understanding and sources among researchers, policymakers, analysts, public interest groups and lawmakers.
• Portfolio including news, enterprise and analysis; strong writing style.

Responsibilities

• Break news on climate and environmental policy and politics.
• Pitch, report and write news and enterprise on climate and environmental policy.
• Think visually about the most compelling ways to present stories.
• Contribute to live coverage on breaking news stories.
• Help readers understand the impact of regulations and political forces.
• Collaborate with other reporters on news and enterprise.
• Deliver fast, clean copy in accessible style on complicated topics.
• Ensure accuracy and clarity.
• Work with a multidisciplinary team.
• Meet tight deadlines in a daily, unpredictable news environment.
• Support and uphold our mission of journalistic independence.

Skills

Beat authority

Daily news experience

Portfolio development

News writing

Policy understanding

Job description

The mission of The New York Times is to seek the truth and help people understand the world. That means independent journalism is at the heart of all we do as a company. It’s why we have a world-renowned newsroom that sends journalists to report on the ground from nearly 160 countries. It’s why we focus deeply on how our readers will experience our journalism, from print to audio to a world-class digital and app destination. And it’s why our business strategy centers on making journalism so good that it’s worth paying for.

The Climate Desk at the New York Times is looking for a high-energy and collaborative journalist to join the team of reporters covering climate and environmental policy and politics.

Climate policy has swung wildly in Washington over the last few years, and we’re looking for a reporter who can help readers understand what’s happening and why. We want to dig into what’s different, who’s influencing policymakers and who’s benefiting from the shifts and how changing government rules and regulations play out around the country. Our team has a broad mandate for big stories on everything from the National Park Service to the Environmental Protection Agency, from the growth of nuclear power to the Trump administration’s war on wind.

You should have a track record of scoops and reporting that has helped to shape the national conversation. You should have a body of work that shows creativity, deep sourcing, broad curiosity, an eye for news and a command of complex ideas.

You should also be a fluid writer who can step back, connect the dots and tell the larger story in compelling ways.

This is an in-office position, based in Washington, D.C. and includes regular attendance in the office four days each week. There may be some flexibility to work remotely per your departmental guidance.

Responsibilities:

• Break news on climate and environmental policy, focusing on the E.P.A., the Interior and Energy departments and Congress.
• Pitch, report and write news and surprising enterprise on climate and environmental policy and politics.
• Think visually about the most compelling ways to present stories.
• Contribute to live coverage on breaking news stories.
• Help readers understand the impact of regulations and the political forces at play.
• Collaborate with other reporters on news and enterprise.
• Deliver fast, clean copy in accessible style on complicated topics.
• Ensure accuracy and clarity.
• Work collaboratively with members of a multidisciplinary team.
• Meet tight deadlines and be able to thrive in a daily, unpredictable news environment.
• Demonstrate support and understanding of our value of journalistic independence and a strong commitment to our mission to seek the truth and help people understand the world.
• This role reports to the Deputy Editor, Climate.

Basic Qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience working for a daily news organization
• 3+ years of demonstrated beat authority
• A portfolio that demonstrates you are well-versed in current policy, and have a growing circle of expert sources among researchers, policymakers, analysts, public interest groups and lawmakers
• A portfolio that includes news, enterprise and analysis
• Crisp, clear, writing skills that also demonstrate a mastery of journalistic style and standards

Preferred Qualifications:

• Facility with visual and alternative forms of storytelling
• 8+ years of experience working for a daily news organization

This position is represented by the NewsGuild of NY.

Additional Compensation and Benefits

For roles in the U.S., dependent on your role, you may be eligible for variable pay, such as an annual bonus and restricted stock. Benefits may include medical, dental and vision benefits, Flexible Spending Accounts (F.S.A.s), a company-matching 401(k) plan, employee stock purchase plan, paid vacation, paid sick days, paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement and professional development programs.

For roles outside of the U.S., information on benefits will be provided during the interview process.

The annual base pay range for this role is between:

$124,979.94—$160,000 USD

Candidate Use of GenAI Tools:

We’re excited to learn more about you and your experience. To keep our hiring process as fair and authentic as possible, we ask that you submit your own work and not use GenAI tools to generate substantive content during the application and interview process.

If you’re an engineering candidate, we’ll let you know what specific GenAI tools you are permitted to use for your technical assessment.

The New York Times Company is committed to being the world’s best source of independent, reliable and quality journalism. To do so, we embrace a diverse workforce that has a broad range of backgrounds and experiences across our ranks, at all levels of the organization. We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate on the basis of an individual’s sex, age, race, color, creed, national origin, alienage, religion, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation or affectional preference, gender identity and expression, disability, genetic trait or predisposition, carrier status, citizenship, veteran or military status and other personal characteristics protected by law. All applications will receive consideration for employment without regard to legally protected characteristics. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)’s Know Your Rights Poster is available here.

The New York Times Company will provide reasonable accommodations as required by applicable federal, state, and/or local laws. Individuals seeking an accommodation for the application or interview process should email [e-mail]. Emails sent for unrelated issues, such as following up on an application, will not receive a response.