What are the responsibilities and job description for the Local Editor position at Patch Media?
About Patch
Patch is recognized as a leading provider of local news and information, serving over 1,200 communities across the United States. We are a mission-driven organization with an entrepreneurial culture that rewards creative self-starters and is committed to success.
About You
We are looking for a passionate, self-driven reporter in the Washington, D.C. metro to join our team! Specifically, we are seeking a candidate to cover news from around the Northern Virginia area, including Alexandria, and parts of Loudoun, Prince William and Fairfax counties.
Covering community news isn't just a job for you; it's a calling. You thrive on breaking down what’s happening at city hall and main street businesses, and all the community stories in between. You believe telling people what they need to know about what's happening locally is the most important job in journalism.
You work hard, move fast, follow effective routines — and you've got a great sense of humor. If this describes you, we need you at Patch!
Responsibilities:
- Develop content for five local news websites, ensuring coverage of important events, stories, and issues within your communities.
- Report and write daily stories on local government, schools, businesses, crime, and community events.
- Identify and cultivate sources within your communities to gather news and information effectively.
- Determine the most relevant and engaging stories for your audience.
- Plan and prioritize story mix, balancing breaking news, features, and enterprise reporting.
- Consistently monitor for breaking news and report on urgent events as they happen.
- Collaborate with fellow Patch editors in a fast-moving, remote newsroom environment.
- Promote content through social media platforms.
Most important skills to have:
- Experience covering breaking news.
- Strong writing and reporting skills.
- Able to work independently.
- Proficiency in social media platforms and understanding of SEO principles to promote content and maximize audience engagement.
- An innate curiosity about local news and a passion for storytelling.
- Able to collaborate effectively within a team.
Nice to have:
- Bachelor’s degree in journalism or a related field
Compensation
The annual salary range for this position is $48,000 - $58,000, commensurate with talent and experience.
Benefits
- Competitive medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Ancillary benefits
- 401(k)
- Unlimited discretionary time off (DTO)
- 10 paid holidays a year
- Paid parental leave
- Annual growth and development reviews
- Training and mentorship
For consideration, please email your resume to jobs@patch.com.
Patch serves our communities by providing trustworthy local journalism, covering the most important issues, and celebrating the people and stories that make each town unique. Patch favors talent, drive, diversity and capacity to grow over credentials and homogeneity.
Patch Media is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, sex, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Our commitment to equality extends to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, training, compensation, benefits, and general treatment.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $48,000.00 - $58,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible schedule
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Referral program
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Are you located in or near the areas listed in the job description (Northern Virginia / D.C. metro)?
Work Location: Remote
Salary : $48,000 - $58,000