Reporter Fellow, Local Investigations - Mississippi & Louisiana

About the Role

The New York Times is looking for reporters with a local story idea who want to investigate it under the guidance of Dean Baquet and a group of veteran investigative editors.

The Local Investigative Fellowship provides a one-year program for reporters with a local investigative story idea rooted in Louisiana or Mississippi. Fellows will be based in the communities where they report.

This is a NY Guild role based in Louisiana or Mississippi.

• Spend a year producing signature investigative work focused on your state or region that will be published by The Times.
• Learn the judgment, skills and techniques needed to excel at investigative journalism under the guidance of Mr. Baquet and veteran editors.
• Demonstrate support and understanding of our value of journalistic independence and a strong commitment to our mission.

• 3 to 5 years of professional experience as a reporter covering a beat for a local newspaper or local digital news outlet.
• Independent journalist or employed at a newsroom willing to provide a yearlong sabbatical.

• Significant experience covering a beat and an idea for an investigative story that you have not had the time, resources or editing support to pursue.
• Ability to bring a new perspective to investigative journalism.

Upload a résumé, a cover letter and five clips. Applications that fail to include any of these materials or follow these instructions will not be considered.

Your cover letter must include at least one story idea or pitch, limited to 500 words. The cover letter should answer the following questions to assess your reporting process and what editorial support you need:

• What is your investigative story idea or area of focus? How would your story expose something new, something no one else has already revealed?
• Describe who has been harmed and in what way. Is the harm enough to spark outrage?
• Will your story hold someone accountable? Who and how?
• What critical records, data and human sources will be required to tell your story? Describe how you have, or could, obtain these sources.
• What do you need help with to report this story, and what are the barriers?
• Can you give us a sense of what has been written about the subject? Please include clips of notable reporting on the topic.

Include specific details about what you aimed to prove through your investigations.

Submit five published clips that show excellence in writing, high-impact news stories, and highlight the voices of local communities. Clips must be uploaded as full text, not just links.

• Starts with high stakes – how does the story affect people’s lives, health, safety, and basic quality of life?
• Has a clear line of accountability – the investigation addresses someone or a group with significant power.
• Reveals something – the investigation uncovers something that someone or an institution is trying to keep secret.
• Has a clear sense of place – the issue is unique to your community.

The fellowship is based in Louisiana or Mississippi. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. The program does not sponsor new work visas, but may consider candidates with existing work visas or valid student visas extending via Optional Practical Training.

Annual base pay: $85,262.84. Flexible compensation options including an annual bonus and restricted stock may be available. Benefits include medical, dental and vision coverage, flexible spending accounts, a company matching 401(k) plan, paid vacation, paid sick days, paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement and professional development programs.

The New York Times Company is committed to being the world’s best source of independent journalism and encourages people from all backgrounds to apply. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate on the basis of an individual’s sex, age, race, color, creed, national origin, religion, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, genetic trait or predisposition, carrier status, citizenship, veteran or military status, or any other protected characteristic.

All applications will receive consideration for employment without regard to legally protected characteristics. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)’s Know Your Rights Poster is available here. The Company will provide reasonable accommodations as required by applicable laws. The Company encourages those with criminal histories to apply in a manner consistent with Fair Chance laws. For information about the Company’s privacy practices for job applicants .

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