Breaking News Correspondent

The Talent Acquisition department hires qualified candidates to fill positions which contribute to the overall strategic success of Howard University. Hiring staff “for fit” makes significant contributions to Howard University’s overall mission.

At Howard University, we prioritize well-being and professional growth.

Here is what we offer:

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus mental health support
• Work-Life Balance: PTO, paid holidays, flexible work arrangements
• Financial Wellness: Competitive salary, 403(b) with company match
• Professional Development: Ongoing training, tuition reimbursement, and career advancement paths
• Additional Perks: Wellness programs, commuter benefits, and a vibrant company culture

Join Howard University and thrive with us!

https://hr.howard.edu/benefits-wellness

As part of Howard University’s newly-launched Institute for Advanced Study (HIAS), The Emancipator is an award-winning nonprofit digital magazine that reimagines the nation’s first abolitionist newspapers for a new day. Our mission, like those who came before us, is to leverage the power of journalism to turn public opinion against racist policies and ideas. We expose the history, harms, and pervasiveness of racial inequity and injustice in all aspects of life, and explore solutions for its abolition. From health disparities, the wealth gap, climate inequality and police violence to racism experienced by those throughout the world, The Emancipator confronts the biggest racial justice issues of our time.

JOB PURPOSE:

As a key member of The Emancipator’s editorial team, the Breaking News Correspondent is an integral part of the news organization’s daily news coverage ensuring we “stay in the conversation” with mission-focused content that is sharp, timely, relevant, fast, deftly researched and vetted, and well reported and written. The Breaking News Correspondent nimbly reports, writes, and web produces timely news stories, essays, scripts, and social posts. This position offers early-career journalists an opportunity to build their reporting muscles in a fast-paced, mission-driven newsroom with hands-on mentorship and clear growth pathways. You’ll learn to strengthen reporting, writing, and publishing regularly in a collaborative newsroom where editors provide active feedback and development. This position is funded by a one-year grant, with the possibility of renewal. The Breaking News Correspondent reports directly to the Managing Editor.

SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY:
While this role has no direct supervisory authority, the Breaking News Correspondent may be asked to help mentor student interns and/or student employees. This role may be asked to serve as lead on projects related to helping promote The Emancipator’s editorial mission and goals.

NATURE AND SCOPE:
This position will interact with faculty, staff, students, and internal and external contacts.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:
Newsroom:

• Collaborate with The Emancipator team on editorial matters
• Ensure the confidentiality and preservation of sensitive information
• Adhere to newsroom operational structure and editorial workflows
• Attend newsroom meetings and events as well as those conducted by HIAS more broadly where required and as needed
• Utilize editorial support services such as webpage hosting, photos, videos, Slack, and social media

Editorial:

• Serve as a collegial, professional, and efficient newsroom presence
• Support the strategic editorial coverage plan and execution
• Adhere to the publishing calendar and cadence
• Pitch timely, relevant, mission-aligned content
• Report, write, and web produce stories, essays, scripts, social posts

Collaboration and Communication:

• Collaborate with team members and contribute to group projects
• Support fellow reporters, producers, and freelancers by offering feedback and guidance
• Help maintain a collegial and professional newsroom environment
• Coordinate with other departments or external partners when necessary and directed
• Communicate collegially, clearly and effectively, both in writing and verbally

Professional Development and Media Appearances:

• Collaborate with the Editor-In-Chief and Managing Editor on the pursuit of and attendance at professional development opportunities such as conferences, lectures, and speaking engagements
• Collaborate with the Editor-In-Chief and Managing Editor and, where applicable, Howard University public relations office, on media appearances and statements

CORE COMPETENCIES:

Technical Proficiency:

• Highly skilled in reporting and writing
• Proficient in CMS, news analytics tools, social media platforms, video and photo databases
• Skilled in navigating government, public records, and archival databases

Attention to Detail:

• Sharp and highly experienced news judgment
• Meticulous in handling and publishing editorial content
• Diligent in producing accurate, timely, well reported, vetted, and sourced news content

Organizational Skills:

• Effectively manage time to meet project deadlines
• Handle multiple tasks and adjust priorities based on project needs

Analytical Thinking:

• Offer solutions to editorial and organizational challenges
• Adhere to newsroom best practices

Communication Skills:

• Clear and effective written and verbal communication
• Provide instructions and feedback to students or junior staff

Collaborative Skills:

• Work well within a team and contribute to group projects
• Ability to “manage up” with higher level leadership

Adaptability:

• Flexibly adapt to new technologies and methods.
• Continuously learn and seek professional development
• Handle multiple tasks and adjust priorities as needed

Project Management:

• Oversee content from inception to completion
• Track progress and report on outcomes

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Based in the Washington D.C. metro area.
• Education: Bachelor’s Degree or higher in journalism
• Minimum one year of journalism experience (including internships, on campus publications, and/or freelance work)
• Demonstrated reporting on race and justice editorial content
• Demonstrated ability to participate on teams of varied sizes–including those that include freelancers/contributors
• Demonstrated experience in directly producing breaking news content
• Knowledge of digital publishing protocols and analytics
• Experience with CMS and digital editing software
• Strong attention to detail and organization accuracy with recordkeeping
• Troubleshooting and problem solving expertise
• Demonstrated initiative to work self-directed yet with a collaborative style
• Strong verbal and written communications skills

Compliance Salary Range Disclosure

Expected Salary: $55,000

Compliance Salary Range Disclosure

Compensation Range: $50,000 - $55,000