Digital Editor

Posted On: July 17, 2015

Journalism Job

Media Organization: The Texas Observer

Company Description

The Texas Observer is an Austin-based nonprofit news organization known for fearless investigative reporting, narrative storytelling and sophisticated cultural criticism about all things Texan.

Job Description

The Texas Observer is seeking a digital editor to oversee our growing online presence. We are a 61-year-old National Magazine Award-winning Texas institution that was doing longform before longform was cool. We are also increasingly a daily digital must-read covering Texas politics and culture with an emphasis on social justice, inequality, race, LGBT issues and immigration.

As the digital editor, you are in charge of web-only stories, from short daily items to in-depth investigations and features. This position requires someone capable of stewarding all aspects of editorial production from story conception to line editing to writing headlines. You will work with the editor and managing editor as well as the reporting staff and freelancers to ensure the website is a healthy mix of smart commentary, fearless reporting and timely news. You will collaborate with the audience development manager and digital associate to coordinate social media promotion and SEO. You will also assist with magazine production, including proofing and light editing duties as needed by editor and managing editor.

You must be a mission-oriented professional with an ability to work independently and think on your feet.

Qualifications include:

Excellent reporting, writing and editing skills and five years minimum experience reporting and/or editing
Knowledge and passion for all things Texas, especially news and politics (or a willingness and ability to learn quickly)
A proven ability to juggle multiple and varied story projects, including both features and short, timely news items
An eagerness to seek out and develop young writers from across a diverse state
Familiarity with WordPress or other content management systems and social media, particularly Twitter

To Apply

Please send cover letter, resume and three writing samples to Forrest Wilder (wilder@texasobserver.org) by July 30.