Job description

Grist, the nation's leading online source of green news and commentary, is looking for an experienced food section editor to plan and manage coverage related all things food: from sustainable (and un-) agriculture and policy to local food/farming heroes, aka New Agtivists, from the culture of sustainable eating to the practical ways a new generation can make what they eat and love to eat what they make. This editor should have a passion and aptitude for creating compelling online content; social media savvy; proficiency with web-production tools; a thick rolodex of enthusiastic bloggers and creative types; solid experience managing people, projects and whole topic areas; and an intuitive grasp of the cultural zeitgeist. You must be able to translate wonky green issues into lively, engaging reads and be unafraid of Creative Commons farming for pictures of pigs with large testicles. Bonus points for being able to stage your own attractive food shoots or cobble together quick-and-dirty Photoshop graphics.

We want someone who is brimming with ideas for how to engage users, new and old, with innovative, insightful features; someone who can discover and groom talent, and manage projects from inception to completion. This editor should have a good sense of the sustainable food and general green zeitgeists, considered opinions on their evolution, and an ability to translate that into colorful, compelling content.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with senior management and a handful of experienced staff writers, including senior food writer Tom Philpott, to create and execute a strategic plan for Grist’s food section with the goal of producing stellar content and expanding engagement with Grist's audience
• Manage staff writers and freelance contributors, and reach out to bloggers for guest and cross-posts
• Assign, edit, and manage a budget for freelance projects
• Initiate ideas for interactive and/or visual journalismIntegrate social media into Grist's feature content plan
• Study web analytics and adjust content plan to build audienceMiscellaneous writing and editing as required (that's life at a small nonprofit)

Qualifications

• A sincere interest in changing the food system coupled with the willingness to make fun of sincerity when appropriate -- irreverence is part of our shtick
• 5+ years experience as an assignment editor; online experience required
• 2-3 years experience managing staff and projects, ideally leading small teams of reporters, web producers, designers, and developers
• Strong eye for visual journalism and what works onlineProfessional experience with social media applications like Twitter and Facebook
• Journalism degree or relevant experience, and killer writing and editing skills
• Hands-on experience working with website content management systems
• Hands-on experience with HTML, CSS, Photoshop, and other online tools/software
• Familiarity with web analytics and translating user data into product improvements
• Solid contacts (writers, editors, producers) in the media world

Salary will depend on experience. Grist offers excellent benefits, a friendly workplace, and the opportunity to play a crucial role in an organization with a mission. Also, when was the last time milk came out your nose at work? We're just saying.

Compensation

this position is:

Application instructions

Deadline

no deadline