Interim Climate and Environment Reporter

Date Posted	March 17, 2026
Industry	Digital Media
Specialty	Not Specified
Job Status	Temporary/Contract
Salary	$70,000–$80,000 annualized, five-month position

Description:

New York Focus is seeking a temporary, full-time climate and environment reporter for five months to fill in for a staff reporter on parental leave.

It’s a pivotal moment in New York climate politics. As state-mandated emissions targets inch closer, the battle over the future of the state’s landmark climate law is being waged on multiple fronts: in the courts, legislature, and executive chamber. Faced with a lawsuit, a re-election, and an unfriendly federal government, Governor Kathy Hochul is seeking to amend the law — but how, when, and what that means for the green transition remain open questions.

We’re looking for an experienced reporter to chronicle these fights and show how they play out in local communities far from the halls of power. We want someone who can cut through the weeds to convey the real-life stakes of arcane policy; build relationships with a wide range of government, industry, labor, and advocate sources; sniff out stories from a mountain of data; and show why it all matters through textured local reporting.

The reporter will produce a mix of scoop-driven news stories, analysis pieces, and accountability stories on issues related to climate, energy, and environmental justice in New York state. A willingness to dig deep is a must, as is clear, compelling copy.

This position can be based anywhere in New York state. The ideal start date is April 15.

To apply, upload the following to this form:

• A resume
• A cover letter
• Three clips. For each one, please submit a short description (no more than 125 words) of what it achieved. Did it reveal important new information or introduce a fresh idea? Or rely on deep sourcing? Or have a significant impact?
• The names and contact information for three references

Only applications submitted through the form will be considered. If you have questions, reach out to hires@nysfocus.com. 

Please submit an application by March 20. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so apply early.

Compensation

$5,834–$6,667 per month for five months, equivalent to $70,000–$80,000 annualized salary, commensurate with experience, with the option to join New York Focus’s health insurance. This position is part of the New York Focus union.

About You

The ideal candidate will have:

• At least four years of experience as a reporter, ideally covering climate, environment, or related policy areas;

• Demonstrated investigative skills;

• Ability to write clearly and engagingly;

• Motivation to come up with original ideas and enthusiasm for collaborative projects;

• Proficiency with spreadsheets and data analysis. Familiarity with Flourish, Datawrapper, or other graphics software is a plus.

About New York Focus

New York Focus covers New York state politics, with a focus on how decisions are made in Albany and how they impact ordinary New Yorkers. We are New York’s only statewide nonprofit newsroom, and we’re filling a critical gap as newspapers across the state are cut to the bone and major news organizations pivot away from local coverage.

Since we launched five years ago, our stories have spurred legislation, shaped regulation, and driven national news cycles. Our reporting exposes how power works, reveals how policy is crafted and implemented, and answers the question: who runs New York? The newsroom is small and collaborative, and this job is a chance to be creative and enterprising in a workplace that encourages ambitious and in-depth storytelling.

We are committed to an inclusive workspace, and we strongly encourage applications from people of color, women, LGBTQ people, and people with disabilities. Consistent with federal, state, and local law, we are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, veteran status, or other protected categories.

Apply

https://form.jotform.com/260705726128154