Overview In this role you will guide The Times' FOIA strategy to obtain information from public entities, serving as a newsroom hub for public records requests. You will consult and partner with reporters and editors to integrate FOIA early in story development, and you'll spearhead original coverage through the FOIA process. You'll collaborate with data, visual and product teams to tell impactful stories and maintain a centralized FOIA database, while coordinating with Legal on litigation opportunities. This is a mission-driven position rooted in journalistic independence, based in New York with some travel to Washington.
Compensation / Benefits- medical, dental and vision benefits
- Flexible Spending Accounts (F.S.A.s)
- company-matching 401(k)
- employee stock purchase plan
- paid vacation
- paid parental leave
Responsibilities- Develop and refine FOIA requests with internal stakeholders for submission
- Consult teams on designing public records requests to bolster reporting, integrating requests early in story development
- Propose and drive FOIA-based story ideas and coordinate coverage across desks
- Advise desks on effective approaches to obtain information through public records laws
- Develop training materials and deliver training on FOIA information and related statutes
- Coordinate, track and expedite FOIA requests via a centralized database
- Partner with Legal to identify efforts that merit litigation support
- Represent the Newsroom in partnership with Legal on FOIA matters
- Support the organization's mission of journalistic independence and truth-seeking
- Report to the enterprise OR news research team
Key requirements- 5+ years' experience at a journalism or media company or other relevant organization
- Proven ability to navigate and resolve legal issues related to public records laws
- Track record of collaborating to develop innovative storytelling using public records and legal strategies
- collegial collaboration
- consultative mindset
- training and mentoring
- FOIA and public records laws (federal, state, local)
- legal coordination and litigation support
- centralized database management for FOIA requests
