The Bay Area News Group has a rare opening for a writer/editor looking to help shape public policy in the region and the state. For the first time in 14 years, we are hiring for the team that produces the editorial pages of the Mercury News and the East Bay Times. As the Deputy Opinion Page Editor, you will be an integral part of the writing and editing for the print and online opinion sections.
This is an opportunity to shape the debate with writing that shines. The current team has been recognized for some of California’s best editorial and column writing. We have received more than 20 awards since 2010 from the California News Publishers Association and Society of Professional Journalists’ Northern California chapter, and contributed to the East Bay Times coverage on the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Reporting.
What you will do:
- Editorial and column writing; selection and editing of local commentaries and syndicated op-eds; and backreading of letters to the editor
- Advocate for progressive social issues and fiscal responsibility; supporting, policy reform, government transparency, public employee pension reform, environmentally sound state water policy, utility company accountability and privacy respect from the tech industry
- Foster strong relationships with local organizations, thought leaders, activists and community members to help ensure the opinion section is connected with the diverse interests and concerns of the Bay Area
- Serve a savvy, sophisticated audience that includes millions of online readers and hundreds of thousands of people who read our printed newspapers
- Adhere to the highest professional and ethical standards at all times and abide by the newspaper’s written ethics policy. Newsroom employees are on the front lines of protecting this newspaper’s credibility
What you will bring:
- 5+ years of reporting and editing experience with a daily paper
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in journalism or related field
- Proven experience as an editor, preferable in opinion writing, politics or a related field
- Strong opinion writing, reporting and editing skills
- Excellent editing ability, including knowledge of AP style
- Thorough knowledge of current events, politics and issues affecting the Bay Area
- Understanding of social media and knowledge of how to use it
- Knowledge of analytics and how to use them in digital decision-making
Must be located in the South Bay Area with weekly in-office expectations in San Jose.
Along with your resume, please include a cover letter and 3-5 editorial writing samples.
The annual salary range is 75,000-$80,000.
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