From time to time, we’ve posted job openings of interest to the many professionals that read our articles. But today, there’s a somewhat different — and more personal — opportunity.

For almost two years, the generosity of our donors has allowed us to hire Zach Shaner on a part-time basis. You’ve all read the output of that arrangement, which exceeded my wildest expectations. But Zach is now moving on to a better opportunity than we can give him, and we have an opening.

We’re looking for a skilled writer with an interest in transit and land use issues open to a part-time position. He or she would be responsible for several pieces a week, although hours (and therefore output) are negotiable. Reporting skills are more important than domain expertise. However, knowledge of the local political terrain, transit operations, and land use issues are assets. Outside of the land use and transit beats, you’d be free to use the remainder of your time to pursue other writing opportunities.

Responsibilities:

  • Pitch unique stories and follow up on leads
  • Take assignments from designated officers
  • Cover breaking news
  • Establish and maintain relationships/sources
  • Manage social media channels as needed
  • Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

  • At least 1 year of reporting, blogging or similar experience
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Flexible schedule
  • Able to succeed with light supervision
  • Knowledge of relevant local politics, transit, and land use issues a huge plus

Salary depends on experience, but we’re competitive with many other media outlets. If you’d like to give it a shot, send an email with a resume and three writing samples to contact@seattletransitblog.wpcomstaging.com by May 22nd.

21 Replies to “We’re Hiring a Reporter”

  2. Sorry to see Zach go. Dude did solid work. More Nourish, please.

  4. We’ll miss you Zach! Thanks for all the great reporting and best of luck in your new job with ST.

  5. Sad to see Zach go. Some of our regular commenters are decent writers, but I hope the new higher is an outsider. I feel like STB can become a bit of an echo chamber, so it would be nice to get some fresh ideas.

    1. Zach has an unusual ability to put everything into perspective, to ensure that multiple viewpoints or concerns get their proper weight. Sometimes I’m amazed at how accurately he can express a complex situation, and articulate multiple viewpoints with their deserved weights, and shows how they all fit together.

      We can’t expect that the next writer can do all that, it’s a rare talent. But even if the next writer is just good, we’ll still be well off.

  7. Zach is going to be missed, but probably won’t miss me. The worst part for Zach is having to attend Sound Transit Board Meetings and listen to trolls… and then all the sudden this son of a… shows up and screams like a Growler, “GO SOUND TRANSIT!”

    Now if only I lived in Snohomish County… looking at you SounderBruce…

  8. Thanks all. I’ll try to write up a couple more things before my last day, May 12. It’s been great!

  9. Well done and congratulations, Zach! I’ve really enjoyed your pieces at STB and wish you all the luck in the future.

  11. Best of luck, Zach (in all your ventures). I’ll miss your writing around here.

    To Martin (and others): I assume you’ve talked to Erica Barnett. She is independent, and may not want to be tied down to one publication, but since the job here is part time, maybe she could do both. As much as I’ll miss Zach, it would be really nice to have someone like Ms. Barnett writing here.

    1. Erica was an STB writer last year, so she knows where to find us if she’s so inclined. She has a particular interest in transit and wrote a few articles, and then I guess wanted to focus more on her own business. Still it wouldn’t hurt to draw her attention to the opening just in case.

      1. If I’m not mistaken, Ms. Barnett is on the editorial board. I’m confident she knows of the opportunity. : ) And yes, she would be an excellent fit should she decide to bring her talents to STB more regularly.

  12. Congratulations, Zach. Best wishes to you and your career, and may you help Sound Transit and all the other local transit agencies and transit-oriented development grow and thrive!

  13. Thank you for all your work in this space, Zach. I’ve appreciated so many aspects of your work: consistently well-reported and well-written pieces (remarkably rare in the current media climate); your talent for thinking outside the box when looking to meet our regional transportation challenges; an impressive balance between reporting the facts and editorializing (again, rare these days!); consistently connecting the dots between decisions and challenges on the ground and our guiding principles; and most of all, writing infused with compassion for those on the margins who depend most on quality transit. You’ll be missed here.

    That said, congratulations on landing an excellent position! You will continue to serve well.

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