Bainbridge Island, Washington--Online News Editor--YES! Magazine

Online News Editor


Salary: Compensation in the low 30s. Excellent benefits.
Education: No requirement
Location: Bainbridge Island, Washington, 98110-0818, United States
Posted by: Positive Futures Network
Job Category: Editing & Writing
Language(s): English
Job posted on: April 24, 2009
Area of Focus: Computers and Technology, Media and Journalism, Network of Nonprofit Organizations

YES! Magazine is seeking a full-time online editor who is passionate about using the power of independent media to change what’s possible. This person will coordinate a new online initiative at YES! designed to bring solution-oriented perspectives more fully into the national dialogue on the major issues of our time.

We strongly value diversity and encourage applications from people of color and other groups that have been historically subject to discrimination.

BACKGROUND ON YES! MAGAZINE
YES! is a non-profit, ad-free print and online magazine that covers solutions to the critical social, political, and environmental challenges of our time. One of the nation's most respected independent magazines, YES! reaches more than 150,000 magazine readers each quarter and draws about 100,000 visitors to our website each month. Our workplace is lively, supportive, and collaborative and offers many opportunities to learn and grow professionally.
YES! TAKES ON THE NEWS — A NEW INITIATIVE
YES! Magazine is launching a new online program to bring our solution-oriented perspectives more fully into the national dialogue on the major issues of our time. We will post daily commentaries that reframe headline news, drawing on our 13 years of research and writing on themes ranging from economic transformation to climate solutions to breakthrough opportunities for peace.
YES! ONLINE NEWS EDITOR — JOB DESCRIPTION
The YES! Online News Editor will work under the supervision of Executive Editor Sarah van Gelder to acquire meaningful, high-quality commentaries that have wide appeal and achieve high public visibility. The Online News Editor invites writers to provide timely commentaries, searches for existing commentaries, edits them to fit the YES! Takes style, writes headlines and blurbs, and posts to the YES! website. The work will be done at the YES! offices on Bainbridge Island, within walking distance of the Seattle ferry.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The YES! Online News Editor works as part of the YES! Editorial team. The Online News Editor’s job is to:
- Keep the YES! Website at the cutting edge of breaking news by identifying news stories in our topic areas.
- Develop strategies and formats for presenting a YES! take on breaking news, through blogs, commissioned pieces, in-house writing, re-posting, etc.
- Obtain relevant material, rights, and complementary information in written form, or in other media.
- Edit each YES! Take to conform with YES! Takes guidelines, enhance readability, fact-check, and guard against liability exposure.
- Acquire and post photos or graphics to complement postings.
- Write attention-grabbing headlines, decks, and introductions to YES! Takes materials designed to attract wide readership.
- Post each YES! Take on the YES! website in a timely manner with relevant links.
- Encourage other organizations and websites to disseminate YES! Takes by collaborating with the YES! Audience Development team on promotion and when appropriate posting directly to other sites.
- Keep the YES! website fresh by posting new material and new links on the home page and on various landing pages.
- Write occasional YES! Takes and e-newsletter copy

Additional duties may include:
- Moderate comments or online dialogues
- Develop audio and/or video versions of YES! Takes
- Attend occasional conferences or meetings on behalf of YES!
- Participate in staff meetings and events.

QUALIFICATIONS:
-Proven success with multiple facets of online journalism/commentary.
- Excellent editing and writing skills.
- Solid understanding of current affairs.
- Adept with web interface programs (we use Plone).
- Proficient with a variety of design and web software.
- Well organized, flexible, and quick—experienced with juggling multiple, deadline-driven tasks.
- Ability to work both independently and in a collaborative workplace.
- Meticulous about accuracy and grammar.
- Excellent Internet research skills.
- Passionate about making the world a better place.
- Sense of humor.

The ideal candidate will also:
- Have a strong record of producing multiple forms of media online.
- Be familiar with the social movements, positive alternatives, and policy opportunities that YES! covers.
- Be well acquainted with the themes and tone of YES!, including political, cultural, social, and spiritual issues related to creating a more just, sustainable, and compassionate world.

The Positive Futures Network is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. We welcome qualified applicants of any race, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation.
How to Apply:
Please send an email with your cover letter in the body of the email, links to your posted work (material you’ve written or edited, and/or web content you’ve developed—please specify your role), and your resume by May 15, 2009, to: YTakes@yesmagazine.org Please no paper applications or phone calls.
Applications will be accepted until May 15, 2009.