Nonprofit Editor

NOTE: To have your application considered, please send a resume, cover letter and three to five work samples to Managing Editor Babs Rodriguez, babs.rodriguez@fortworthreport.org.

The Fort Worth Report is seeking an editor to cover nonprofits, a sector increasingly filled with uncertainty amid a shifting financial landscape. Our rapidly growing news team seeks a journalist adept at juggling quick turns and in-depth enterprise coverage of nonprofits, philanthropies and the social safety nets across Fort Worth and Tarrant County. In addition to reporting, this position will also mentor and sometimes direct reporters on other beats, including faith, arts and health, when nonprofit coverage intersects those areas of coverage.

The nonprofit beat is squarely focused on the issues that affect the everyday lives of Tarrant County residents, exploring how changes inside nonprofits have ripple effects in the community. In all of our reporting, we seek to amplify the voices of Fort Worth and Tarrant County residents — especially those most affected when systems falter.

This mid-level management position reports to the managing editor (or another designated editor) and works alongside our team of editors on the education, business and government accountability beats and with their teams of reporters to produce world-class journalism with the goal of expanding our relevance, impact and reach. Strong digital and social media skills plus an old-fashioned nose for hard news is required.

The nonprofit editor is a problem solver with the ability to work quickly and thoughtfully, adjusting according to the needs of the story. The person loves the mission of hyperlocal reporting that is the signature of the Fort Worth Report. A willing collaborator and team player will be most successful as philanthropy crosses most beats from education to health to faith.

At the Fort Worth Report, we live at the intersection of people and public policy. Our nonpartisan reporting centers on civic life, including local government accountability, health, business, arts and culture, the environment and religion.

This is a full-time in-office position with benefits.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

● Cultivate expertise in nonprofit trends and issues to generate high-impact stories. Build trust with sources and our audience.

● Use clear, concise authoritative writing in three stories each week that make complicated issues accessible and shows our audience why a story is important to them. Must be comfortable with photography, videography, data visualization and related tools. We’re an all-digital platform, so our focus is on making content shine online.

● As required, work with our team of reporters across beats, developing and discussing stories for you to pursue as well as stories best covered by the faith, arts and health reporters.

● Work closely with, direct and mentor reporting staff as assigned.

● Editing/proofing duties as required, including the rotation of newsletter proofers.

● Work closely with our audience, membership and events team to ensure our coverage better connects and resonates with our readers, viewers and listeners.

● Represent the Fort Worth Report in the community and at our public events. It is critical that our journalists are deeply embedded in Fort Worth and Tarrant County, always working to promote our mission.

● Be a positive force for our mission, our staff and, most of all, our community. We’re a community-owned and -operated nonprofit and nonpartisan local news organization.

● Must be able to work with some schedule flexibility given occasions requiring evening, weekend and holiday work. We promote a life-work balance for our team.

QUALIFICATIONS:

● Good-natured, ambitious and ready to help build a long-term sustainable local news initiative.

● At least five years of reporting experience.

● Management experience is desirable but not required.

● Varied multimedia experience, including video, audio and web storytelling. We collaborate with public broadcaster KERA News and other nonprofit news outlets.

● Excellent communication skills, ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and work under deadline pressure.

● Multiplatform experience, including writing and knowledge of AP Style, shooting video, taking photos and posting to social media.

● Strong interpersonal skills, with an ability to work cross-functionally with different departments and work styles. Proficiency in a foreign language is a plus but not required.

● Must be comfortable with a fast-moving organizational culture. We are constantly looking for solutions to perform efficiently and new ways to connect with our audience.

● Handle other duties as assigned.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

● Driver’s license, reliable transportation and current automobile insurance.

● Willing to relocate and live in Tarrant County.

This is a full-time, exempt position. Travel and some nights/weekends will be required on an occasional basis. At the same time, we highly value our employees and do our level best to create a healthy work-life balance.

We offer a competitive salary, plus health insurance (medical, dental, vision), a generous paid-time-off policy, a matching 401(k) plan, and flexible work hours.

There are great candidates who might not check all these boxes or who hold important skills we haven’t listed. Don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself. FWR is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to hiring employees from diverse backgrounds. People of color, women, LGBTQ+ and differently-abled people are strongly encouraged to apply.

As a small nonprofit, we’re often called to wear many hats and jump in to help each other when the situation calls for it. We can’t say it too often: We’re committed to maintaining a healthy work-life balance and providing a place for staff to feel supported in their professional growth and achieve ambitious goals.

Please send a resume, cover letter and three to five work samples to Managing Editor Babs Rodriguez, babs.rodriguez@fortworthreport.org .