Westchester Reporter

Date Posted	June 12, 2026
Industry	Newspapers, Digital Media
Specialty	Not Specified
Remote / Telecommute	Hybrid
Job Status	Part-time
Salary	Not Specified

Description:

New York Focus is seeking a part-time contributing reporter to lead ambitious accountability reporting on Westchester County.

Westchester is home to more than a million people, enormous wealth and inequality, powerful local political networks, and high-stakes fights over housing, infrastructure, policing, environment, public spending, and more. New York Focus is expanding its coverage of the county and is seeking a part-time reporter to produce 2-3 stories per month, helping us tell powerful stories and achieve impact.

We’re looking for a reporter who can cut through the weeds to convey the real-life stakes of arcane policy; build wide-ranging sourcing and sniff out stories from a mountain of data; and show why it all matters through textured local reporting.
 

The reporter will produce accountability stories in two broad subjects: (a) issues that are playing out in Westchester but are of interest to readers across the state, and (b) how decisions by state government are affecting Westchester residents.

Being based in Westchester is ideal, but this position is open to candidates living elsewhere if they can regularly travel to Westchester. The ideal start date is in late July or early August.

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 June 26. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Compensation

You will be a 1099 employee paid a monthly retainer of $3,125 per month for six months, with the possibility of extending to a year or longer. Expected output is 2-3 stories per month of varying types and lengths.

About You

The ideal candidate will have:

• At least four years of experience as a reporter, covering policy or politics
• Demonstrated investigative skills
• Ability to write clearly and engagingly
• Ability to come up with original ideas
• Proficiency with spreadsheets and data analysis

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.

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https://form.jotform.com/261534045639156