What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Government Editor position at The Dallas Morning News?
Job Description
Title: Assistant government editor, The Dallas Morning News
Lead coverage of a team keeping watch over the day-to-day operations of the publicly-funded entities that impact the people who live here.
Job description: Accountability reporting defines The Dallas Morning News. This editor helps lead our local government team, guiding coverage of the city of Dallas, Dallas County and Collin County, and working closely with political reporters in Dallas, Austin and Washington. The role blends sharp editing, newsroom leadership and strong story ideas to produce journalism that informs and challenges readers.
What You’ll Do
Since 1885, The Dallas Morning News (www.dallasnews.com) has been North Texas’ trusted source for credible, independent journalism — reporting with accuracy, fairness and integrity. Each week, we reach more than 4 million people across print, digital, and social platforms, covering the stories that shape life in Dallas and across the state. From politics and public policy to business, culture and sports, our mission is to inform, engage and reflect the diverse communities we serve.
Our staff works in the office at least three days a week. The Dallas Morning News believes a collaborative and inclusive work environment is essential to a thriving workplace. We support one another as we produce revelatory work with our community in mind. We are in search of a diverse group of candidates.
About Hearst Newspapers
With 2,500 employees across the nation, Hearst Newspapers (HNP) represents a network of 28 daily and 50 weekly publications, including the Austin American-Statesman, Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Express-News, San Francisco Chronicle and Times Union (Albany). Our portfolio also includes several top digital-only news and lifestyle sites such as Chron., CT Insider, MySA and SFGATE, along with marketing services businesses like Medium Giant and entertainment brands such as King Features Syndicate.
At HNP, we’re investing in new and innovative ways to tell stories — growing newsrooms, diversifying tools and evolving platforms — to support the millions of people who trust us each month to help them make decisions, take action and be inspired.
Be a part of something bigger – Your Headline Awaits.
Title: Assistant government editor, The Dallas Morning News
Lead coverage of a team keeping watch over the day-to-day operations of the publicly-funded entities that impact the people who live here.
Job description: Accountability reporting defines The Dallas Morning News. This editor helps lead our local government team, guiding coverage of the city of Dallas, Dallas County and Collin County, and working closely with political reporters in Dallas, Austin and Washington. The role blends sharp editing, newsroom leadership and strong story ideas to produce journalism that informs and challenges readers.
What You’ll Do
- Set the daily news agenda and build long-range projects that stand apart
- Drive original ideas rooted in diverse communities and perspectives
- Embrace creative storytelling devices.
- Insist on reporting that is fair, accurate, deeply sourced and clearly written
- Step into breaking news coverage across digital platforms when needed
- Manage multiple deadlines with sound judgment and speed
- Lead, coach and mentor reporters, strengthening their work
- Identify stories with clear audience and digital impact
- Shape stories for digital reach through strong headlines, SEO, links and visuals
- Use analytics and audience insight to sharpen coverage
- Responsible for all aspects of employee management, including recruitment, interviewing, selection, onboarding, and retention
- Conduct regular performance evaluations; provide constructive feedback and coaching to support employee development and accountability
- Administer progressive discipline and counseling as needed, in alignment with company policies and procedures
- Oversee scheduling, workload distribution, and delegation of responsibilities to ensure balanced team performance and productivity
- Bachelor’s degree in journalism or a related field
- At least two to five years of newsroom editing experience
- Strong editing instincts and planning skills
- Working knowledge of SEO and digital storytelling
- Confidence making fast decisions on deadline
- Solid news judgment, accuracy and headline skill
- Ability to adapt quickly as news shifts
- Clear, direct and collaborative communicator
Since 1885, The Dallas Morning News (www.dallasnews.com) has been North Texas’ trusted source for credible, independent journalism — reporting with accuracy, fairness and integrity. Each week, we reach more than 4 million people across print, digital, and social platforms, covering the stories that shape life in Dallas and across the state. From politics and public policy to business, culture and sports, our mission is to inform, engage and reflect the diverse communities we serve.
Our staff works in the office at least three days a week. The Dallas Morning News believes a collaborative and inclusive work environment is essential to a thriving workplace. We support one another as we produce revelatory work with our community in mind. We are in search of a diverse group of candidates.
About Hearst Newspapers
With 2,500 employees across the nation, Hearst Newspapers (HNP) represents a network of 28 daily and 50 weekly publications, including the Austin American-Statesman, Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Express-News, San Francisco Chronicle and Times Union (Albany). Our portfolio also includes several top digital-only news and lifestyle sites such as Chron., CT Insider, MySA and SFGATE, along with marketing services businesses like Medium Giant and entertainment brands such as King Features Syndicate.
At HNP, we’re investing in new and innovative ways to tell stories — growing newsrooms, diversifying tools and evolving platforms — to support the millions of people who trust us each month to help them make decisions, take action and be inspired.
Be a part of something bigger – Your Headline Awaits.