Story Desk Editor

Description

The company runs 64 television stations in 51 U.S. markets and reaches more than 100 million people each month across websites, mobile apps, streaming and linear TV.

This role sits with the station in Columbus, a CBS affiliate owned by the company. The station wants a driven digital content producer who works well in a fast-moving news setting and puts the audience first when writing, producing and sharing local news.

Digital producers track audience trends to find and write local news that draws more readers. They select quality content and manage the audience experience across the station's website, mobile app, streaming and social channels. They work with the wider content team to break news and tell strong stories in a round-the-clock newsroom.

The ideal person follows the news closely and writes accurate, compelling copy with urgency.

Strong writing comes first: you must write quickly and accurately while following several streams of information at once. You also need sound news judgment and experience producing and copy-editing for digital. Experience with SEO best practices and audience listening: a big plus.

Strong initiative, an inner drive, and a readiness to learn and grow are also wanted.

Responsibilities

• Write and share original, accurate breaking news.
• Select and schedule news across the station's website, mobile app, social media and streaming platforms.
• Edit reporters' stories for grammar, clarity and structure, applying AP style, and prepare them for digital.
• Package stories for digital using subheads, links, graphics and audience-submitted photos or video.
• Write with energy, impact and an authentic voice.
• Check facts and sources to confirm credibility.
• Follow news releases and social channels to find new stories, enterprise pieces and community contacts.
• Use data and metrics to guide editorial and strategic decisions.
• Take on other tasks assigned by your supervisor or senior digital producers.
• Uphold journalistic integrity and the station's brand on every platform.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications or a related field, or equivalent experience in the field.
• One to three years of experience writing breaking news or AP-style news articles.
• Strong communication and organization skills, with the ability to work under constant time pressure and meet deadlines.
• Stay calm during live, fast-changing coverage.
• Solid news and editorial judgment, and a grasp of the principles of professional journalism.
• Strong command of AP style, copy editing and SEO best practices.
• Ability to work various shifts, including mornings, nights and weekends.
• Experience creating and managing content on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
• Ability to create and package engaging, audience-driven content.
• Preferred: experience with CMS, photo and video-editing systems.
• Preferred: ability to write in an exciting, captivating and conversational tone.
• A plus: knowing how to interpret and use digital analytics.
• A plus: knowledge of ENPS, Edius and Canva.

Conditions

Pay range: $19.24 to $26.45 USD.

Benefits

• Medical coverage with two plan options for full- and part-time staff through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, plus dental and eye care, fertility, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and disability and life insurance.
• 401(k) plan: employees can contribute 1% to 80% of pay on a pre-tax basis. Contributions up to the initial 4% of pay receive a 100% company match, fully vested from day one.
• Regardless of medical plan enrollment, all employees and eligible family members get nine free virtual doctor visits through Teladoc and 12 free annual therapy sessions with a licensed clinician through Spring Health.
• Generous paid time off plus nine paid holidays per year.
• Some roles fall under a collective bargaining agreement, so some or all of these benefits may not apply. For example, some newsroom union staff receive health and retirement benefits through union-administered plans.