Getting paid to travel is a dream job for most of us. Getting paid to travel for an entire summer in one of the world’s most expensive and happening cities is next-level. This year, a New York City-based nonprofit is hiring one lucky applicant to do just that — to spend three months getting paid to explore the city’s most famous neighborhood.
The Alliance for Downtown New York is on the hunt for an Explorer-in-Chief. The new hire will spend summer 2020 living rent-free in Lower Manhattan just off Wall Street. Accommodations will include stays at upscale boutique properties like Sonder with access to a coworking space, a library, a game room, and a sky lounge. The full-time position also pays $2,250 every two weeks for the entire season. The official contest page is clear that there is no catch — the job is exactly what it sounds like.
The position also provides VIP access to New York’s most popular attractions, including One World Observatory and the Statue of Liberty, plus cultural gems, speakeasies, and hot new restaurants. In return, the Alliance is encouraging the new hire to be curious and fully immerse themselves in life in New York’s oldest neighborhood. They’ll document their experiences through personal videos and on social media.
“From the indigenous Lenape Indians to Henry Hudson and Herman Melville, to more recently Questlove, countless adventurous souls have explored this island and these streets and made them their own. We are looking for another adventurous soul to discover Lower Manhattan anew,” said Downtown Alliance President Jessica Lappin. “There is so much to see and experience here; we are thrilled to provide a modern explorer and storyteller with the tools they need to share their own tale of discovery.”
In ADNY’s own words, the ideal applicant “will have a camera-ready personality, a keen eye, a distinctive voice, and the chops to produce compelling, entertaining content.” They should be comfortable and engaging on camera, but aware that the real star of their videos will be Lower Manhattan.
The entry requirements are straightforward. Applicants must submit a short YouTube video (60 seconds or less) to show why they’re excited about the position and an ideal fit for the job. Creativity is key — applicants are encouraged to sing, beatbox, do some old-school break dancing, compose a poem for the camera, or anything that proves they can tell a story. For full contest details, check out ExplorerInChief.com. The deadline is March 15, however, so act fast.
