Editor, Arkansas Advocate

Job Description

Join States Newsroom as Editor of Arkansas Advocate, an award-winning site for nonpartisan reporting on state government, policy and politics.

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With robust news coverage of the people and interests that determine state policy, the Arkansas Advocate tells stories that aren’t being told. This award-winning team brings fresh perspectives to state issues and amplifies the voices of Arkansas communities and stakeholders.

States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization, is seeking an experienced journalist to serve as Editor of the Arkansas Advocate. With exceptional news judgment and an eye on critical government stories from Little Rock, the Editor will oversee a team of talented reporters and a dynamic news site, produce a daily newsletter, and continue to grow the newsroom’s audience and social media presence. The Editor will also work closely with peers around the country to share best practices, collaborate on stories, and build relationships that help refine newsroom operations.
 

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Develop and distribute original journalism to drive area news coverage

• Hire and supervise journalists to provide daily news coverage and enterprise reporting on major state policy and political stories

• Edit and sometimes write major state policy and political stories

• Produce a daily morning newsletter with news readers need to know

• Work with States Newsroom’s audience staff to achieve consistent engagement across newsletters and emerging social platforms

• Solicit editorial content from local contributors for an Arkansas-focused opinion section

• Participate in weekly calls and periodic visits with National Editor(s), as well as an annual summit of States Newsroom’s editors

• Assure regular social media posts promoting local and national articles

• Manage donor relations and organize fundraising efforts with assistance from States Newsroom’s headquarters

The Editor will have funding for staffing, freelancers, travel and overhead expenses. Technical, marketing and editorial support are provided by States Newsroom’s headquarters office.
 

BENEFITS & COMPENSATION

The minimum salary for a state editor is $95,000 and rises with experience. Our generous benefits package includes:

• Premium-free platinum health care for employees (and 75% of medical premiums covered for qualified dependents)
• 4 weeks of vacation per year
• 2 weeks of personal leave per year
• 20 hours of paid volunteer time per year
• 11 paid holidays per year
• $75 monthly cell phone reimbursement
• $200 cell phone replacement benefit every two years
• $75 monthly fitness benefit
• 401K with up to 3% match
• 12 weeks of parental leave
• Full-service EAP

New laptop and any necessary equipment will be provided by States Newsroom.
 

ABOUT OUR CULTURE

States Newsroom is dedicated to producing journalism at all levels — from quick-hit breaking news to long-form enterprise and investigative stories. We also aim to be supportive, welcoming and positive. 

We believe in creating sustainable careers for journalists on the crucial state government beat. States Newsroom’s mission is to connect people to the decisions that shape their daily lives through relentless reporting and incisive commentary on state government and policy. Journalism is a powerful force for public service, uniquely suited to challenging systemic inequality and racism.

At States Newsroom, we believe we strengthen our work and improve our insights when we incorporate the perspectives of people who come from different backgrounds and have had different experiences. We are committed to diversity and prioritize equity in all recruiting and hiring. We are always working to better represent our communities and are supported in these efforts by a network-wide Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice committee. 

Job Requirements

The ideal candidate will have at least 10 years of professional reporting and/or editing experience, a desire to lead and to train newer journalists, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a deep knowledge of Arkansas’s political history and media landscape. This position will be based in Little Rock.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, please send a cover letter, resume with at least three professional references, and links to at least five writing/editing samples that demonstrate your vision for a hard-hitting newsroom to jobs@statesnewsroom.com. Applications will be reviewed as they arrive.

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