At a glance
- Experience
- 5+ years experience
- Location
- New York, NY
About the role
- The FOIA Editor oversees and guides the strategy for using the Freedom of Information Act and other public records laws to obtain information from governmental entities.
- This role serves as a newsroom hub for public records requests, providing resources, guidance, and consulting to journalists to maximize information gathering.
- The editor will develop story ideas, maintain a centralized database of requests, and collaborate with the Legal department on litigation support.
Responsibilities
- Develop and refine FOIA requests in partnership with internal stakeholders for submission.
- Serve as a consultant for teams designing public records requests to bolster reporting.
- Propose and drive story ideas based on FOIA requests and coordinate coverage across multiple desks.
- Consult with desks to understand when and how to augment ongoing themes with FOIA requests.
- Advise journalists across the newsroom about effective approaches to obtain information through public records laws.
- Develop and maintain training materials and deliver training on federal, state, and local public records statutes.
- Coordinate, track, and expedite public records requests by maintaining a centralized database.
- Partner with the Legal department to identify efforts that merit litigation support.
- Represent the Newsroom in partnership with Legal on FOIA matters.
- Demonstrate support for journalistic independence and the mission to seek the truth.
Requirements
- 5+ years of experience at a journalism or media company or other relevant organization.
- Demonstrated success navigating and resolving legal issues related to public records laws.
- A record of collaborating and partnering with colleagues to find innovative storytelling approaches through public records and legal strategies.
Preferred qualifications
- Previous experience in shaping the public records strategy of a news organization.
- Conversant in local and state public records laws and practices in addition to the federal statute.
- Deep familiarity with media law or a law degree.
- A record of adjusting to the evolving and changing needs of a newsroom.
Benefits
- Annual bonus
- Restricted stock
- Medical, dental and vision benefits
- Flexible Spending Accounts (F.S.A.s)
- Company-matching 401(k) plan
- Employee stock purchase plan
- Paid vacation
- Paid sick days
- Paid parental leave
- Tuition reimbursement and professional development programs
Workplace
- Position is based in New York, NY.
- Includes regular attendance in the office each week.