Story Desk Editor

Description

The company provides trusted local news and services through 64 television stations in 51 U.S. markets, reaching more than 100 million people each month across web, mobile, streaming and linear TV.

The station is an NBC affiliate in Midland-Odessa, Texas, and is hiring a story desk editor to write, produce and distribute local news for a digital audience.

Digital producers track audience trends, write local stories that can grow readership, curate quality content and shape the experience across the website, apps, streaming and social channels. They work with the wider content team around the clock to break news and tell strong stories.

Strong candidates are avid news readers who write accurately and with urgency. Writing comes first: you should write quickly and accurately while following several threads at once. You need sound news judgment and hands-on experience producing and copy-editing for digital. Initiative, drive and a willingness to keep learning matter too.

Experience with SEO best practices and audience listening skills are a big plus.

Responsibilities

• Report and publish original, accurate breaking news.
• Verify facts and check sources for credibility.
• Edit reporter copy for grammar, clarity and structure, applying AP style and digital optimization.
• Schedule and curate news across the website, app, social media and streaming platforms.
• Add subheads, links, graphics and viewer or user-submitted media to strengthen digital stories.
• Write with energy, a captivating voice and an authentic tone.
• Watch news releases and social conversations for new stories, enterprise pieces and community contacts.
• Use analytics and audience data to guide editorial and strategic decisions.
• Keep 24/7 streaming content scheduled and optimized, using analytics to see what performs best.
• Make sure every podcast recording has a producer assigned and is properly staffed.
• Act as the link between the story desk and broadcast producers, keeping them informed about shows, streaming priorities and the content to push.
• Protect the newsroom's journalistic integrity and station brand on every platform.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications or an equivalent field experience.
• One to three years writing breaking news or AP-style news articles.
• Strong communication and organization skills, with the ability to meet deadlines under constant time pressure.
• Calm under pressure during live, fast-changing breaking coverage.
• Solid news and editorial judgment and a grasp of professional journalism principles.
• Strong command of AP style, copy editing and SEO best practices.
• Experience with CMS and photo or video editing systems, preferred.
• Ability to write with energy, a captivating voice and a conversational tone, preferred.
• Experience creating and managing content on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
• Skill at building engaging, audience-driven content packages.
• Ability to read and apply digital analytics, a plus.
• Familiarity with ENPS, Edius or Canva, a plus.

Conditions

Work shifts that include mornings, nights and weekends.

Based in Midland-Odessa, Texas, in a 24/7 news environment.

Benefits

• Medical coverage with two plan options through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas for full and part-time staff, plus dental, eye care, fertility, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and disability and life insurance.
• 401(k) open to full-time, part-time and temporary staff, with pre-tax contributions from 1% to 80% of pay. The company matches 100% of the first 4% of pay, and matched funds vest immediately.
• Whether or not you join a company medical plan, you 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 and nine paid holidays per year.
• Some roles fall under a collective bargaining agreement, so some benefits may differ or not apply. Some newsroom union staff get health and retirement coverage through union-run plans.