Pennsylvania Capital-Star Editor

Job Description

Join States Newsroom as Editor of Pennsylvania Capital-Star, an award-winning site for nonpartisan reporting on Keystone State government, policy and politics.

Pennsylvania Capital-Star serves the nearly 13 million people who call the commonwealth home and depend on their interests being safeguarded by one of the nation’s largest, most expensive, and often inefficient full-time state legislatures. The actions of the legislative, executive and judicial branches touch on almost every aspect of Pennsylvanians’ daily lives.

States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization, is looking for an experienced journalist to serve as Editor of the Capital-Star. The newsroom is a go-to source for in-depth original reporting, explainers on complex topics, features that ground policy debates, as well as progressive commentary on a range of issues. All of the coverage is available to read or republish for free. Come ensure people from Erie to Philadelphia have the nonpartisan news they need to hold government and elected officials accountable.

With an eye on critical government stories in Harrisburg, the Editor will oversee the talented team of three reporters and a dynamic site, produce a daily newsletter, and continue to build the outlet’s social media presence. The Editor will also work closely with States Newsroom and network peers in other states 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
• Write regularly on 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 Pennsylvania-focused opinion section
• Participate in weekly calls, and periodic visits with National Editor(s) as well as regular meetings of all States Newsroom editors

The Editor 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 healthcare for employees and their families (i.e., nothing comes out of your paycheck!)
• 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
• Annual DeleteMe subscription

 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 not at the expense of burning out its employees. We are supportive, exciting, 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 Pennsylvania’s political history and media landscape.
Authorization to work in the United States is required. All States Newsroom employees are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID within 30 days of hire.

​HOW TO APPLY

To apply, please send a cover letter, resume with at least three professional references, and links to at least five writing/editing samples that demonstrate your vision for a hard-hitting newsroom to jobs@statesnewsroom.com. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

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