NEWS EDITOR

The Telegraph Herald, an award-winning, employee-owned daily newspaper in Dubuque, Iowa, seeks a talented news editor to join our team. Be part of a hard- working, aggressive newsroom working to produce the best newspaper in the state, both in print and online.

We are looking for a confident journalist to help direct our coverage of the tri-state area for both print and online platforms. The candidate will work closely with the managing editor to plan and execute news and feature coverage both for the daily paper and long-term projects. The news editor also helps supervise the reporting staff, providing coaching and mentorship in addition to editing finished stories. The ideal candidate has an appreciation for investigative and data-driven work, a passion for community news and an eye for strong reporting and writing.

Our salaries are very competitive with others in the industry. In addition, our employee-owned paper offers the possibility of raises after one year, and current employees earn shares in the company annually that fully vest after five years, providing another significant financial benefit. Because we are locally owned, important decisions about our products are made by people who live and work in our community.

At least five years of prior professional media experience is required. Prior experience at a daily newspaper is preferred, but we are willing to consider any talented journalist.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Overall Responsibilities:

Assists with planning, directing and executing coverage of tri-state news and features, for dissemination in print and digital platforms. Maintains a lively web presence with ongoing news updates and developments supported by social media feeds. Develops the talents and skills of employee-owners under supervision.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Works with managing editor to plan, direct and execute coverage of tri-state news and features, for dissemination in print and digital platforms.
• Maintains active website with breaking news, news updates, fresh photos and web extras.
• Ensures that news is provided throughout the day and evening in a timely manner.
• Assigns stories, photographs, photo captions and graphics -- for print and digital dissemination -- and edit this material for news value, accuracy, clarity and timeliness.
• Checks and/or reviews editorial material for libel, taste, style, accuracy, fairness and reader interest.
• Oversees Sunday business section content and assignments.
• Ensures that reporters are providing live updates via social media and for the web on news assignments.
• Monitors news and ongoing issues.
• Assists with hiring, evaluating and training new employee owners.
• Maintains and processes necessary records.

• Assists with coordinating planning and production of editorial content, ensuring that standards of deadlines, quality control, editorial direction and style are met for newspaper, online product or other products.
• Coaches, trains and evaluates performance of employee-owners.
• Meets deadlines.
• Monitors news and issues, from local to international.
• Suggests and initiates programs and procedures to enhance products, efficiency and morale.
• Adheres to company and departmental policies.
• Adheres to standard practices and ethical standards of the industry.
• Positive representative of department, company and industry at all times.
• Attends and participates in corporate initiatives such as Great Game of Business, ESOP meetings, safety training, etc.
• Provides quality customer service via phone, email and face-to-face interaction to both internal and external customers.
• Communicates information to the appropriate individuals and/or departments in a timely manner, such as news tips, source suggestions or real or potential customer-relations issues.
• Works in cooperation with all members of company in general and Editorial Department in particular.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Behavior: Commitment to quality and service. A leader and role model. A positive representative of the company, corporation and profession. A team player. Dresses appropriately for the job. Maintains a valid driver’s license. 

Skills: Planning, management and organization, editing, writing, spelling and grammar. Ability to track and incorporate analytics into news placement decisions. Ability to learn and use new technology.

Knowledge: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent. Five years of newspaper experience.