Editor, Nebraska Examiner

Job Description

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

States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization, is seeking an experienced journalist to lead the award-winning Nebraska Examiner as its next Editor-in-Chief.

The Examiner provides a daily flow of news and analysis to help readers understand how their tax dollars are being spent and whether officials, programs and policies are working toward a better future for the state. The newsroom covers important issues like state government and taxes, work and poverty, immigration, housing, education and – of course – politics. Help ensure Nebraskans have the news and information they need to hold government and elected officials accountable.

With an eye on critical government stories from Lincoln, the Editor-in-Chief will oversee the talented team of four reporters and a dynamic website, produce a daily newsletter and continue to build the outlet’s social media presence. The Editor-in-Chief will work closely with States Newsroom and network peers in 38 other states and Washington, D.C. 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
• Edit and sometimes write 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
• Assure regular social media posts promoting local and national articles
• Manage donor relations and organize fundraising efforts with assistance from States Newsroom’s headquarters

The Editor-in-Chief 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 health care for employees (and 75% of medical premiums covered for qualified dependents)
• 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

Authorization to work in the United States is required. 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 we also aim to be supportive, 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.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, send a cover letter, resume, and at least three links or clips to jobs@statesnewsroom.com. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Due to the high volume of emails received, we are unable to respond to each applicant individually.

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