The Trace is hiring an assistant engagement editor to elevate our gun violence reporting across a range of channels.
We’re looking for someone who is deeply knowledgeable about social media and enthusiastic about reaching readers in new ways. The ideal candidate has an eagerness to grow The Trace’s following and an understanding of what it means to make journalistic impact. We’re looking for someone with at least one to four years of experience working in an audience-focused role in a newsroom.
The Trace’s assistant engagement editor will write clear, sharp copy and create compelling posts for visual platforms. The person who fills this role will be a key member of our audience team — we expect them to bring fresh ideas for engaging readers, a collaborative spirit, and an eagerness to further The Trace’s impact through targeted reader engagement, story promotion, and audience development while helping to track the outcomes of our work.
Core Responsibilities:
- Operate The Trace’s social media channels, with an emphasis on increasing followers and engagement with our impact journalism.
- Work with Trace writers and editors from the inception of a story or project to tailor its engagement and promotion plan.
- Write emails, newsletter entries, and social media posts to launch and/or re-promote Trace articles.
- Contribute to social media coverage of breaking news, with a focus on adding context that provides value to readers and demonstrates The Trace’s expertise.
- Track impact, readership, and referrals from partners’ versions of Trace articles.
- Collaborate with The Trace’s newsletter team on products and services produced for our core readers.
The ideal candidate is someone who:
- Has 1-4 years experience working in a newsroom, ideally including audience engagement work
- Demonstrates the ability to write sharp, accurate social media copy for various platforms
- Is familiar with graphic design and basic video editing for social platforms
- Is enthusiastic about experimenting with new platforms and strategies to promote The Trace’s work
- Deftly collaborates with the rest of the newsroom
Compensation and benefits:
Salary will vary depending on the candidate, but the general range is approximately $60,000-$65,000. This role will require some evening and breaking news work. They will be expected to take comp time for work that takes place outside of regular office hours.
This full-time position includes no-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance; 12 weeks of fully paid family leave; a 401(k) with employer matching; four weeks of vacation time, plus 10 sick days and a holiday week in December; several holidays; and professional development resources such as funding to attend conferences.
At The Trace, we are committed to producing journalism that is equitable and inclusive. We welcome applications from journalists of all experience levels and strongly encourage applications from people of color, women, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ people.
We know that all of the attributes and interests listed here won’t apply to all candidates. If you think you’d be a great fit and have skills and qualifications not mentioned in this listing, we encourage you to submit an application and tell us why you’d thrive in this role.
This is a remote position. Many of our staffers are based out of our office in Brooklyn, New York, but we also have team members in Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and elsewhere.
To apply:
Fill out the application form here. In lieu of a cover letter, we ask that you answer a few questions about your experience and goals. We’re asking for your resume and 5-10 social media clips you’re proud of.
DEADLINE: We will accept applications through September 20, 2024. We may begin reviewing applications sooner, however, and will reach out to you directly if we like your application.
QUESTIONS? Email us at [email protected] with questions about the role or how to apply. Please do not reach out to check on the status of your application before we have contacted you; we will do our best to respond to candidates in a timely manner.
