Are you an ace copy editor who can come up with print and web headlines that sing? Do you also happen to be a bibliophile who enjoys the arts? The Seattle Times, a family-owned news organization and one of the nation’s premier regional news sources, is looking for a versatile Features Multiplatform Editor who will be charged with copy editing our Sunday Features section and running our books freelance operation.
In this multifaceted role, you will oversee our books freelance coverage, assigning and editing this content (while handling some freelance Arts pieces as well). You will copy edit stories for print and web using our WordPress-based CMS and print-based CMS, Methode. You should be detail-oriented and familiar with AP style. Multiplatform editors safeguard the credibility of The Seattle Times across all platforms by ensuring that all content is accurate, ethical, fair, culturally sensitive and is presented in a timely, compelling manner designed to maximize audience. Applicants will have to take and pass The Seattle Times’ editing test.
Responsibilities:
- Copy edit our entire Sunday Features section “The Mix.” This includes pulling some wire content, writing headlines and decks and working closely with assigning editors and our graphics department to produce the section every week.
- Be the point person for books coverage at The Seattle Times. This includes working with editors and reporters to plan books coverage, assign and edit book-related freelance stories and reviews, recruiting and maintaining a diverse roster of books freelance writers and keeping an eye on metrics to consistently evaluate and improve how we cover the Seattle and Pacific Northwest literary scene.
- Pull wire of regular syndicated columns for the section.
- Sort through and ready for publication reader responses to some regular features.
- Edit other stories as assigned.
- Help with Features department web production and social media as needed.
- Serves as backup for all Weekend Plus section production: including copy editing and listings compilation, when needed.
- Ensure our coverage, tone, language use, headlines and captions are presented in a culturally sensitive, inclusive manner that accurately reflects the rich diversity of the communities that we serve.
Compensation: The full salary range for this position is $47,600 to $87,100. We typically pay between $55,000 and $75,000, depending on experience and qualifications.
Qualifications
We are committed to diversity and creating an inclusive newsroom and encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply. If your profile doesn’t match this job description exactly, you may still be a candidate for this position. Please let us know how your skills and experience relate to the role and its objectives in your cover letter.
- Experience: At least three years of journalism experience in copy editing roles at a major daily or local media publication is preferred.
- Education: This position requires a bachelor’s degree in journalism, communication, English, literature or a related field — or relevant equivalent experience. An M.A. in literature, or M.F.A in creative writing is a bonus.
- Mastery of grammar, spelling, punctuation and AP Style.
- Strong news judgment.
- Attention to detail.
- Creativity with headline writing for print and web.
- Interest in books and/or working knowledge of the national literature scene — familiarity with the Pacific Northwest literature scene is a bonus.
- Familiarity with digital skills such as SEO-friendly headline writing and how to evaluate analytics to aid in making coverage decisions.
- Familiarity with daily newspapers and with the WordPress CMS are bonuses.
- Adept with social media: must demonstrate an understanding and willingness to engage with readers on multiple platforms.
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