Nebraska Examiner Editor

Job Description

Join States Newsroom as Editor of Nebraska Examiner, an award-winning site for nonpartisan reporting on state government, policy and politics.

Nebraskans want accountability from their elected officials and government. Are their tax dollars well-spent? Are state agencies and local governments responsive to the people? Are officials, programs and policies working for the common good and a better future for our state? The Nebraska Examiner provides a hard-hitting, daily flow of important news, scoops and reports to help readers better understand the Cornhusker State.

States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization, is looking for an experienced journalist to serve as Editor of the Examiner. The newsroom covers all the important issues: work and poverty, taxes and state government, the environment, housing, education, and of course, politics. All of the Examiner’s coverage is available to read or republish for free. Come ensure people from Omaha to Scottsbluff have the nonpartisan news they need to hold government and elected officials accountable.

With an eye on critical government stories from Lincoln, the Editor will oversee the talented team of three reporters and a dynamic site, produce a daily newsletter, and continue to build the outlet’s social media presence. The Editor will also work closely with States Newsroom and network peers in other states to share best practices and build relationships that help refine the outlet’s operations.
 

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supervise and hire journalists to provide daily news coverage and enterprise reporting on major state policy and political stories
• Write regularly on major state policy and political stories
• Produce a daily morning newsletter with news readers need for the day
• Work with audience staff to achieve consistent engagement across newsletters and emerging social platforms
• Develop and distribute original content to drive area news coverage
• Solicit editorial content from local contributors for a Nebraska-focused opinion section
• Participate in weekly calls, and periodic visits with National Editor(s) as well as regular meetings of all States Newsroom editors

The Editor will have funding for staffing, freelancers, technology and overhead expenses. Technical, marketing and editorial support are provided by our headquarters office.

BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION

The minimum salary for a state editor is $95,000 and rises with experience. Our generous benefits package includes:

• Premium-free platinum healthcare for employees and their families (i.e., nothing comes out of your paycheck!)
• 4 weeks of vacation per year
• 2 weeks of personal leave per year
• 20 hours of paid volunteer time per year
• 11 paid holidays per year
• $75 monthly cell phone reimbursement
• $200 cell phone replacement benefit every two years
• $75 monthly fitness benefit
• 401K with up to 3% match
• 12 weeks of parental leave
• Full-service EAP
• Annual DeleteMe subscription

 All necessary equipment will be provided by States Newsroom.
 

ABOUT OUR CULTURE

States Newsroom is dedicated to producing journalism at all levels — from quick hit to investigative — but not at the expense of burning out its employees. We are supportive, exciting, welcoming and positive. We believe in creating sustainable careers for journalists on the crucial state government beat.

States Newsroom’s mission is to connect people to the power that shapes their daily lives through relentless reporting and incisive commentary on state government and policy. Journalism is a powerful force for social change, uniquely suited to challenging systemic inequality and racism. Our goal is to build an organization that fulfills that mission.

At States Newsroom, we believe we strengthen our work and improve our insights when we incorporate the perspectives of people who come from different backgrounds and have had different experiences. We are committed to diversity and prioritize equity in all recruiting and hiring. We are always working to better represent our communities and are supported in these efforts by a network-wide Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice committee.

Job Requirements

The ideal candidate will have at least 10 years of professional reporting and/or editing experience, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a deep knowledge of Nebraska’s political history and media landscape.

Authorization to work in the United States is required. All States Newsroom employees are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID within 30 days of hire.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, please send a cover letter, resume with at least three professional references, and links to at least five writing/editing samples that demonstrate your vision for a hard-hitting newsroom to jobs@statesnewsroom.com. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

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