After four terrific years running Streetsblog San Francisco, Aaron Bialick is moving on. Before I get to the job opening, I'd like to pay my respects to his body of work.
The quintessential post of the Aaron Bialick era, to my mind, was this item from early 2014. With Ed Lee laying the groundwork for reversing Sunday parking meters, Aaron unearthed an SFMTA report documenting the benefits of Sunday meters and threw it in the mayor's face. (Runner-up: The "Visionless Mayor's Optometrist" story.) No way Ed Lee was going to get away with this shameless bit of pandering without getting called on the carpet by Aaron.
If you read Streetsblog regularly, you know progress doesn't come to our streets as fast as it should. But I think it's also clear that decision makers have been listening to Aaron's message, and San Francisco's streets are safer for it. Changes underway like the new 13th Street protected bike lane are a testament to that. The next editor of Streetsblog San Francisco has to keep the pressure on.
Aaron's tenacious work gave Streetsblog SF a strong persona, and as tough as it will be to fill his shoes, I believe that identity will also be a big draw for talented reporters who believe in the mission of this site and want a shot at running it. Thanks to the dedicated community of supporters who've provided a financial backbone for Streetsblog SF, we are immediately moving ahead with the search for the next editor. If you want to throw your hat in the ring, here's what we're after...
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We are looking for a talented journalist to launch and operate Streetsblog San Francisco, a daily news site dedicated to covering safe streets and effective transit in the SF Bay Area.
We welcome applications from engaging reporters who want to lead a respected, influential source of information and commentary on Bay Area transportation and planning issues. The ideal candidate will have a firm grasp of local politics and a keen sense of how Streetsblog coverage can advance transportation policies that improve conditions for transit, cycling, and walking.
Responsibilities
We are seeking a reporter to craft a well-rounded beat full of original content, interviews, event coverage and engaging commentary. Applicants should be enthusiastic about the notion that journalism can be conducted with integrity and fidelity to the truth while retaining a point of view. Knowing how to effectively impart a message is an essential skill for this position.
The editor will:
- Create a daily stream of news and content that builds Streetsblog San Francisco’s audience
- Research and write enterprise pieces about developments in transportation and planning policy happening around San Francisco and elsewhere in the Bay Area
- Track ongoing stories, such as pieces of legislation or specific street redesigns, and build narratives around them
- Conduct interviews and cultivate relationships with lawmakers, public officials, advocates, and policy experts
- Produce commentary that holds officials to account for their decisions, and corrects errors and misperceptions that surface in the media
- Pinpoint opportunities for transportation improvements and reforms, and explain what has to change to enact them
- Mix in short posts and photo-based content
- Manage and edit freelance contributors
Qualifications
- Previous reporting experience, ideally covering transportation or planning issues.
- Passion for and knowledge of progressive urban planning, transportation, and land use topics
- Excellent writing and research skills, as evidenced by clips
Experience with WordPress or other blogging/content production platforms is a big plus.
To apply
Email a resume and cover letter to ben@streetsblog.org.
