Associate Staff Writer, Kitchen, NYT Wirecutter

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.
Job Description
About the Role
Wirecutter is seeking an associate staff writer to join the kitchen team, which covers cooking gear, small countertop appliances, coffee brewing equipment, food, and tableware.
As an associate staff writer, you will report directly to the senior editor of the kitchen team. You’ll be responsible for conducting research and testing products to help maintain our team’s extensive catalog of kitchen product reviews. This could include items ranging from trash cans to juicers, and would also entail expanding our coverage of packaged food and ingredients. You will often work collaboratively with other members of our team on testing and writing, as well as with other teams across our company to produce shorter form articles and off-platform content about the products we review.
The ideal candidate will be a curious, creative, and diligent researcher and writer. A passion for cooking is important, as is a discerning palate for taste tests. An interest in grilling and outdoor cooking is also a plus, though not required. You’ll be expected to develop proficiency writing in Wirecutter’s standard guide format, and to explain your findings clearly and concisely. You’ll also have the opportunity to pitch and develop short-form content both within and outside of the kitchen 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 posts on your beat
• Collaborate with editors and other writers to create test plans, make pick recommendations, and move ideas from pitch to publish
• May be required to 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 audience team to respond to reader feedback and questions, and to produce off-platform content like newsletters and social videos
• 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

Basic Qualifications:

• At least one year of experience writing professionally. (Significant experience on the college level may be acceptable.) We’re looking for an enthusiastic, open-minded reporter. Experience writing in-depth how-to guides is valuable, as is experience covering products or services—especially involving hands-on or lab testing
• 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 high standards of reporting and accuracy
• The ability to meet deadlines and proactively address roadblocks

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with and enthusiasm for cooking, particularly at home
• An interest in sourcing quality ingredients and taste testing food is preferred; an interest in grilling is a plus

The annual base pay range for this role is between $63,000-$74,000.
Please include your résumé/CV, a cover letter, and any writing samples you may want to submit with your application. You can only upload one file in the “Résumé/CV” box, so you should combine and upload your résumé, cover letter, and any other materials as one file.
This is a union position as classified by the News Guild of New York.
About Wirecutter
Wirecutter strives to be the most trusted product recommendation service on the internet. We obsessively test and report on thousands of items each year to recommend the best of everything. Our goal is to save you time and eliminate the stress of shopping, whether you’re looking for everyday gear or gifts for loved ones. We work with total editorial independence. That means nothing appears on the site as a recommendation unless our writers and editors have deemed it the best through our rigorous reporting and testing. Wirecutter was founded in September 2011 and acquired by
The New York Times Company
in October 2016. Wirecutter is mission-driven and reader-supported; learn more about us
here
.
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.
The New York Times Company follows the pay transparency and non-discrimination provisions outlined by the United States Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs. Click
here
for details.

• Research, report, and write long form guides and short form posts on your beat
• Collaborate with editors and other writers to create test plans, make pick recommendations, and move ideas from pitch to publish
• May be required to 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 audience team to respond to reader feedback and questions, and to produce off-platform content like newsletters and social videos
• 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 assigne