Would you like to help make a difference in local news? Want to experiment on how a news organization reaches people? Have a crazy idea or two... or more?

Come to THE CITY (THECITY.nyc). We’re an independent nonprofit news platform dedicated to serving the people of New York through hard-hitting journalism. And we’re looking for a current graduate or undergraduate student to serve as our paid summer engagement intern.

We launched in April 2019. We cover the five boroughs and the halls of power. We break news and drill down into issues affecting New Yorkers.

We ask residents for help in our reporting. We take our newsroom out into the city — though mostly virtual right now. We got a traffic signal fixed. And we’ve even won a few awards (if that’s important to you).

At THE CITY, “engagement” isn’t just a euphemism for social media or monitoring web analytics. Engagement here means we’re focused on meeting people where they are, listening to what they say and using that to produce responsive, inclusive local news.

You would report to Terry Parris Jr., THE CITY’s engagement director, and help him scheme, lead and execute the best way/s to reach people with news and information. This can take many forms — everything from Twitter threads, writing newsletters, building questionnairesand reading every response, finding communities online and off, facilitating community conversations, organizing community gatherings and, yes, reporting stories.

It’s a lot. But it’s a lot of fun.

If you’re interested in getting your hands dirty at the local level, reaching New Yorkers and meeting them where they are — digitally and in real life, you should apply.

Here are some of the things you’ll do:

• You’re going to write … and you understand different audiences will require different approaches. That means generating social copy, newsletters, headlines, callouts, stories.
• You’re going to help us strategize and execute on how to make our growing audience as diverse as the city we cover. This can include social outreach, partnerships, newsletters, events and more.
• Engagement reporting: Help us find communities, reach communities, tap into or organize communities around information (sometimes this might be event-driven).
• You’re going to use analytics to do things better. You will help us answer who our audience is; how they find us and; how we can make THE CITY experience better.
• Talk to New Yorkers — lots of them

Here are some of the things we’re looking for:

• You believe that the community has a seat at the local news table.
• You are excited to help build something new.
• You’re entrepreneurial and a good problem solver.
• You’re creative and can bring ideas to life.
• It’s in your DNA to work collaboratively.
• You’re a strong, clear communicator, with the written word and otherwise.
• You love a well-organized spreadsheet — meaning you can make them, maintain them and use them.
• You understand the internet — that it can be a fun place and isn’t *always* a trash fire.
• You’re a current undergraduate or graduate student, preferably with journalism experience (but not required).

Please note: Share clips, projects or initiatives that demonstrate *some* of the above. We understand you might not hit all of these points. That’s OK — apply anyway. We’re looking for people who have some of this experience, and are excited and willing to learn the rest.

THE CITY is committed to diversity and especially encourages members of underrepresented communities to apply. We offer equal opportunity employment regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability status, age, marital status, or protected veteran status.

To apply, click below to fill out our application form. You’ll need to upload a resume and cover note via the form, as well as provide links to work samples. If you have any questions, please email Terry Parris Jr. at tparris@thecity.nyc.

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