KQED is looking to hire an editor for our newly-launched Express Desk. The Express Desk Editor will help increase the daily online output from our news desks, focusing on breaking and trending news stories. 

　　The ideal candidate will have demonstrated editorial expertise across a wide range of news topics impacting numerous Bay Area communities, a sharp eye for news and be able to quickly assign and edit — and write, as news dictates — stories and publish them. One of the key roles of this editor will be to help project manage and coordinate the coverage of breaking news stories as they happen, including natural disasters, crime, lawsuits, cultural events, science developments and business news.

　　The editor will also be expected to keep tabs on what is happening in the region by combing social media and the internet to spot news, and be able to write and edit accurate copy. This editor will assign reporters to cover news events, working closely with the digital news team. The ideal candidate will work with senior newsroom leaders to set the agenda of the Express Desk. 

　　The Express Desk Editor should be versatile and able to edit a wide range of topics. The ideal candidate will make sure reporters write stories with context and sweep. 

　　The Express Desk Editor should thrive in breaking news situations, working with reporters and editors to update stories throughout the day. The successful candidate will have an insatiable appetite for breaking news and chasing fast-moving stories, while helping to shape our coverage and identify priorities of the day in real time.

　　This is a position that calls for someone who is calm under pressure and comfortable altering the best-laid plans when news dictates. This is a position for someone who has the editorial ingenuity to identify angles that will resonate with digital audiences and can offer high-level editing guidance to ensure we are creating that content.

　　The Express Desk Editor will have to make quick judgments on which events to cover and how to cover them. Once an initial story is published, the editor will oversee it as it continues to be updated, vetting reporting thoroughly along the way. The editor will make sure that the stories they’re editing will have the best photos, videos and other elements to provide context to a reader as a story is developing.

　　The editor will work with other editors and report to the Managing Editor, News & Enterprise.

　　One of our core beliefs at KQED is that we are better together, and that we must commit to grow and improve each day, and hold ourselves accountable when we fall short of that commitment. When we do not stick to our values, our actions will disproportionately hurt the most marginalized people in society — including Black, Indigenous and all people of color, people with disabilities and LGBTQIA+ people. We believe that these communities must be centered in the work we do. We strongly encourage candidates from all marginalized communities to apply.

　　KQED envisions a public media organization with a culture that centers on human dignity, equity, and belonging. This will enable us to better serve and reflect the Bay Area through diverse and inclusive storytelling. 

　　We value the contributions of marginalized people in society — including Black, Indigenous, and all people of color,  people with disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ people — and we believe that these communities must be centered in the work we do, and we strongly encourage members of these communities to apply.

　　KQED Code of Ethics  https://www.kqed.org/about/code-ethics

　　The mission that drives us:

　　KQED provides citizens of Northern California with a community-supported alternative to commercial media.   We provide citizens with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions; convene community dialogue; bring the arts to everyone and engage audiences to share their stories. We help students and teachers thrive in 21st-century classrooms, and take people of all ages on journeys of exploration- exposing them to new people, places and ideas.

　　This role will work hybrid between working in KQED's newly renovated headquarters (https://www.kqed.org/campaign21) and working remotely. KQED requires employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

　　Salary Information: $78,200-$97,800 Annually

　　Essential Functions:

　　Assesses editing needs quickly and addresses them efficiently 

　　Makes sure articles make sequential and logical sense

　　Fact-checks with author and sources as needed

　　Ensures text is consistent with KQED style guidelines

　　Ensures that images and captions are correct

　　Writes or edits highly effective headlines and excerpts that are accurate, compelling, engaging and SEO friendly 

　　Edit stories of the day quickly while ensuring accuracy, context and sweep.

　　Editing and writing clean and accurate copy, headlines and photo and video captions.

　　Ensures text is consistent with KQED style guidelines.

　　Be part of the team training KQED reporters in digital-first production techniques including, but not limited to, identifying stories and producing quick-turn copy.

　　Work with reporters to write clear, compelling and interesting stories on deadline, but know when a story needs extra time.

　　Actively monitor sources of breaking news (social media, wires, internal communications) and be prepared to jump on news seconds after it happens.

　　Expertise with headline optimization.

　　Frequent coordination with the Managing Editor of Newscasts for breaking and day-of news coverage.

　　Work with managing editors of news and newscasts to build source list. 

　　Generate innovative ideas for honing our approach to breaking and day-of news stories. 

　　Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

　　A strong instinct for news that will resonate with readers.

　　Teamwork and willingness to collaborate with others.

　　Strong people skills and an ability to give and receive constructive feedback.

　　Willingness to work some nights and weekends as news dictates.

　　A commitment to upholding journalistic values and ethics. 

　　Other duties, as assigned.

　　Knowledge/Experience Required:

　　Excellent communication and writing skills; ability to write quickly and accurately, with an understanding of tone and style across platforms

　　Writes text with correct spelling, grammar and punctuation 

　　Ability to meet deadlines and goals while working under pressure

　　At least three years experience in a similar role in a newsroom or news environment 

　　Experience writing and editing quickly and accurately in English 

　　Command of AP style

　　Experience with copy editing multimedia content such as graphics, interactives or videos

　　Proven collaboration skills — which are essential in working with fellow KQED staffers across departments and with partner organizations

　　Experience navigating the front and back end of a content management system 

　　Familiarity with social media and engagement platforms

　　Ability to work on their own and as part of a team

　　Ability to stay focused, organized and proactive

　　Ability to stay organized and prioritize tasks when working on multiple projects at once 

　　Interest and knowledge in Bay Area news with a focus on local communities 

　　Checks work before publication and maintains adherence to facts

　　Adherence to copyright laws; understanding of media licensing agreements 

　　Clear communication with colleagues 

　　Ability to stay focused, organized, communicative and proactive — you’ll be working with a number of journalists or staffers across the organization, potentially dealing with several different editors

　　Knowledge/Experience Desired:

　　Experience writing and editing quickly and accurately in English.

　　A passion for breaking news stories is a must. This is not a features, investigative or beat role. This is an editing role. An ideal candidate not only can juggle stories on a wide variety of topics — from local and state politics to weather events — but thrives in such an environment. 

　　Non-English language skills (fluency in Spanish, Mandarin or other widely spoken languages in California) 

　　Experience with basic HTML 

　　Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite 

　　Experience using social media tools and platforms to maximize reach and impact

　　Proven capacity to identify opportunities for stories of high relevance to audiences

　　Familiarity with and interest in optimizing language for social media and engagement platforms

　　A genuine interest in breaking news and a curiosity and passion for how it travels across the internet, from social to alerts

　　Ability to edit quickly, follow our style and standards of news reporting and craft compelling headlines

　　Must be a collaborator with first-class communication skills.

　　Experience using social media tools and platforms to maximize reach and impact.

　　Proven capacity to identify opportunities for stories of high relevance to audiences.

　　Familiarity with and interest in optimizing language for social media and engagement platforms.

　　Ability to work collaboratively with radio and audio teams.

　　Non-Essential Functions:

　　On occasion, fills in for other producers or editors.

　　Represents KQED at events.

　　Other duties, as assigned.

　　If you’re interested in this job but don’t feel like you meet all of the qualifications, please consider applying and tell us more about yourself.

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