What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate Staff Writer, Sleep Wirecutter position at The New York Times?
The mission of The New York Times is to seek the truth and help people understand the world. That means independent journalism is at the heart of all we do as a company. It’s why we have a world-renowned newsroom that sends journalists to report on the ground from nearly 160 countries. It’s why we focus deeply on how our readers will experience our journalism, from print to audio to a world-class digital and app destination. And it’s why our business strategy centers on making journalism so good that it’s worth paying for.
About The Role
Wirecutter is looking for an Associate Staff Writer to join our sleep team, which covers mattresses, white noise machines, sleep masks, weighted blankets, and more.
As an Associate Staff Writer, you will report directly to the Supervising Editor of the sleep team. You’ll conduct research and testing products to help maintain Wirecutter’s catalog of sleep product reviews. This could include testing sleep gear at home, like mattresses (we’ll keep yours safe in storage) or sunrise alarm clocks, or running in-office panel testing. You will work with other members of our team on testing and writing and with other teams across our newsroom to produce short-form articles and off-platform journalism about the products we review.
You will be a curious and creative researcher and writer. You will have a passion for finding unique and qualified sources and a healthy skepticism towards marketing claims. You will develop proficiency writing in Wirecutter’s standard guide format and explain your findings concisely. You’ll also have the opportunity to pitch and develop short-form content both within and outside of the sleep beat. This position is based in New York City in Wirecutter’s Long Island City office (with the flexibility to work from home).
Responsibilities
The annual base pay range for this role is between:
$67,626 - $74,000 USD
The New York Times is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce, one that reflects the varied global community we serve. Our journalism and the products we build in the service of that journalism greatly benefit from a range of perspectives, which can only come from diversity of all types, across our ranks, at all levels of the organization. Achieving true diversity and inclusion is the right thing to do. It is also the smart thing for our business. So we strongly encourage women, veterans, people with disabilities, people of color and gender nonconforming candidates to apply.
The New York Times Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of an individual's sex, age, race, color, creed, national origin, alienage, religion, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation or affectional preference, gender identity and expression, disability, genetic trait or predisposition, carrier status, citizenship, veteran or military status and other personal characteristics protected by law. All applications will receive consideration for employment without regard to legally protected characteristics. The New York Times Company will provide reasonable accommodations as required by applicable federal, state, and/or local laws. Individuals seeking an accommodation for the application or interview process should email reasonable.accommodations@nytimes.com. Emails sent for unrelated issues, such as following up on an application, will not receive a response.
The Company will further consider qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable "Fair Chance" laws.
For information about The New York Times' privacy practices for job applicants click here.
Please beware of fraudulent job postings. Scammers may post fraudulent job opportunities, and they may even make fraudulent employment offers. This is done by bad actors to collect personal information and money from victims. All legitimate job opportunities from The New York Times will be accessible through The New York Times careers site. The New York Times will not ask job applicants for financial information or for payment, and will not refer you to a third party to do so. You should never send money to anyone who suggests they can provide employment with The New York Times.
If you see a fake or fraudulent job posting, or if you suspect you have received a fraudulent offer, you can report it to The New York Times at security@nytimes.com. You can also file a report with the Federal Trade Commission or your state attorney general.
About The Role
Wirecutter is looking for an Associate Staff Writer to join our sleep team, which covers mattresses, white noise machines, sleep masks, weighted blankets, and more.
As an Associate Staff Writer, you will report directly to the Supervising Editor of the sleep team. You’ll conduct research and testing products to help maintain Wirecutter’s catalog of sleep product reviews. This could include testing sleep gear at home, like mattresses (we’ll keep yours safe in storage) or sunrise alarm clocks, or running in-office panel testing. You will work with other members of our team on testing and writing and with other teams across our newsroom to produce short-form articles and off-platform journalism about the products we review.
You will be a curious and creative researcher and writer. You will have a passion for finding unique and qualified sources and a healthy skepticism towards marketing claims. You will develop proficiency writing in Wirecutter’s standard guide format and explain your findings concisely. You’ll also have the opportunity to pitch and develop short-form content both within and outside of the sleep beat. This position is based in New York City in Wirecutter’s Long Island City office (with the flexibility to work from home).
Responsibilities
- Research, report, and write long-form guides and short-form stories on your beat
- Collaborate with editors and other writers to create test plans, make pick recommendations, and move ideas from pitch to publish
- Visit mattress stores, and attend trade shows and product news events as needed to build contacts and expertise in relevant topic areas
- Work with the photo team in our Long Island City office to help manage photo shoots for your assigned guides
- Work with our community team to respond to reader feedback and questions
- Collaborate with our social, video and newsletters team to bring your reporting to life off-platform
- Work with our affiliate team to resolve stock issues on recommendations
- Work with our operations team on product orders and testing plans
- Perform related work as assigned
- Demonstrate support and understanding of our value of journalistic independence and a strong commitment to our mission to seek the truth and help people understand the world.
- At least one year of experience reporting professionally or multiple years on the college level
- At least one year of experience with product or service journalism
- At least one year of experience sourcing expert opinions to inform reports
- Experience writing in-depth how-to guides
- Experience covering products or services—especially involving hands-on or lab testing
- Ability to seek out and source sound health advice on sleep, from peer-reviewed articles, medical doctors and other clinicians, and public health institutions.
- An understanding of why one would feel a need to deeply research a purchase, and an ability to explain why one product is better than another in a natural, accessible, and detailed way
- An inherent skepticism of marketing claims, and a commitment to NYT standards of reporting and accuracy
The annual base pay range for this role is between:
$67,626 - $74,000 USD
The New York Times is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce, one that reflects the varied global community we serve. Our journalism and the products we build in the service of that journalism greatly benefit from a range of perspectives, which can only come from diversity of all types, across our ranks, at all levels of the organization. Achieving true diversity and inclusion is the right thing to do. It is also the smart thing for our business. So we strongly encourage women, veterans, people with disabilities, people of color and gender nonconforming candidates to apply.
The New York Times Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of an individual's sex, age, race, color, creed, national origin, alienage, religion, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation or affectional preference, gender identity and expression, disability, genetic trait or predisposition, carrier status, citizenship, veteran or military status and other personal characteristics protected by law. All applications will receive consideration for employment without regard to legally protected characteristics. The New York Times Company will provide reasonable accommodations as required by applicable federal, state, and/or local laws. Individuals seeking an accommodation for the application or interview process should email reasonable.accommodations@nytimes.com. Emails sent for unrelated issues, such as following up on an application, will not receive a response.
The Company will further consider qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable "Fair Chance" laws.
For information about The New York Times' privacy practices for job applicants click here.
Please beware of fraudulent job postings. Scammers may post fraudulent job opportunities, and they may even make fraudulent employment offers. This is done by bad actors to collect personal information and money from victims. All legitimate job opportunities from The New York Times will be accessible through The New York Times careers site. The New York Times will not ask job applicants for financial information or for payment, and will not refer you to a third party to do so. You should never send money to anyone who suggests they can provide employment with The New York Times.
If you see a fake or fraudulent job posting, or if you suspect you have received a fraudulent offer, you can report it to The New York Times at security@nytimes.com. You can also file a report with the Federal Trade Commission or your state attorney general.
Salary : $67,626 - $74,000
