FOIA Editor

The role

This person will oversee and guide the strategy for using the Freedom of Information Act and other public records laws to obtain information. They will serve as a hub for public records requests and a consultant to newsroom teams.

What you will do

• Develop and refine FOIA requests in partnership with internal stakeholders.
• Serve as a consultant for teams to design public records requests.
• Propose and drive story ideas based on FOIA requests.
• Consult with desks to augment ongoing themes with FOIA requests.
• Advise journalists about effective approaches to obtain information through public records laws.
• Develop and maintain training materials about public records laws.
• Coordinate, track and help expedite public records requests using 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.

Required qualifications

• 5+ years’ 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 the use of public records and other legal strategies.

Nice to have

• 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

• 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
• Professional development programs

Before you apply

• Submit your own work and do not use GenAI tools to generate substantive content during the application and interview process.

About the company

The mission of The New York Times is to seek the truth and help people understand the world through independent journalism.