Junior Reporter

Founded in 2023, Shtetl is an independent non-profit media outlet that covers the ultra-Orthodox/Haredi communities of the New York area. It publishes about issues that matter to the community and to New Yorkers in general. Our mission is to report honestly and accurately on the Haredi community, to be a source of truthful and illuminating information that informs the people and holds the powerful accountable.

Job Summary

Shtetl’s Junior Reporter will be a curious journalist immersed in their beat. Every day they will generate story ideas, develop sources, pursue leads, and produce stories.

The Junior Reporter will be endlessly curious about the communities Shtetl covers and will grow more expert through interacting with the Shtetl family, talking to people in the community, developing their own sources and through use of personal and social networks. 

Ideal candidates would have a good understanding of the broader context of Orthodox Judaism as well as excellent writing and journalistic skills. It is a great opportunity for individuals with a passion for independent media, politics, and the Orthodox Jewish world. 

Join the team to do unique, groundbreaking reporting on a community of a quarter of a million people that currently receives little independent coverage.

Summary of Responsibilities

• Embrace a hybrid role: be in the office or on the beat 3 days a week. Days and hours may vary, with some flexibility needed for evenings and weekends to cover events
• Respond to news: React to breaking news and information 
• Immerse yourself in the beat: Build your network to enrich your knowledge of the communities
• Find the news: Bring story ideas to meetings – make use of networks to grow professionally and increase value to the organization.
• Publish great writing: File 4-8 pieces a week, some shorter, some longer: Require only modest edits when filing a story.

Job Details

You will work closely with the Editor-in-Chief and Managing Editor as part of a team to shape reporting beats, specific articles, and ways of connecting the community to its own news. Your responsibilities will include:

• Uncovering tips/leads for newsworthy stories relevant to or about the Haredi community
• Pursuing details on promising leads and seeking comment from relevant figures
• Pursuing and prioritizing breaking news as it unfolds, including being “on the ground” when possible
• Pitching story ideas to editors
• Taking tips from editors and following up with sources for story development
• Developing ties to community figures, including rabbis, activists, and elected officials
• Maintaining ties with everyday Haredim, cultivating sources of information
• Visiting Haredi synagogues, yeshivas, and public gatherings for reporting on notable events
• Keeping abreast of meetings between Haredi leaders and elected officials
• Keeping close tabs on all Haredi media
• Developing and maintaining knowledge of various Haredi subgroups and their leaders
• Being familiar with and regularly visiting Haredi neighborhoods (especially in the Tri-state Area)
• Being proactive about uncovering controversial events as they unfold, and seeking out sources to speak both on and off the record.
• Being able to quickly draft news stories and file them, especially breaking news

Prerequisites

• Applicants should be ambitious, self-driven, bold, and motivated
• Applicants must speak and write English fluently
• Applicants must have previous publishing credits (preferably in journalism) 

Applicants must reside in or near NYC and be willing to travel to various locations around the New York area

Qualifications, experience

• BA in journalism or related field
• 3+ years relevant experience
• Access to some sources, experts and officials
• Some familiarity with Haredi world
• Some knowledge of Jewish and Orthodox customs, traditions, holidays, etc .
• Basic computer skills
• Basic photography skills

Additional criteria: 

The following are not required, but will enhance a candidate’s application:

• Experience with city, state, and national politics involving the Haredi community
• Familiarity with contemporary Yiddish a big plus (especially reading ability) 
• Some basic Hebrew 
• Driver license

Compensation

• $50-60k annual salary
• Benefits: 401k, medical insurance
• Non-exempt employee. 

To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, and clips to careers@shtetl.org.

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P. S. Shtetl is always looking for freelancers. Please contact editor@shtetl.org to pitch a story or to inquire about current opportunities.