WTOP Digital Writer/Editor, PT Freelance

2060 Digital•Friendship Heights Village, MD

3d•Onsite

About The Position

WTOP is seeking a part-time freelance Digital Writer/Editor to join their team. This role involves writing and editing news articles, creating engaging headlines, and developing photo galleries. The ideal candidate will actively pursue news tips, monitor various media outlets for breaking news, and collaborate with the digital team to maintain journalistic standards. Responsibilities also include managing the WTOP.com homepage, editing video, writing social media posts, and sending breaking news alerts. Effective communication with reporters and the radio team is essential, as is maintaining awareness of the radio product, including weather and traffic.

Requirements

News junkie
Must be able to report to all shifts on time
1-2 years professional experience writing for a print or digital news organization
Excellent news judgment and knowledge of current events at the local, national and international level
Strong writing and interviewing skills
Proficiency in Photoshop and HTML editing
Strong leadership skills with the ability to develop and maintain effective communication and relationships with staff
Ability to thrive in fast-paced, breaking news situations; work effectively under pressure, multitask, prioritize, organize, and meet short deadlines. Be a self-starter.
Possess an understanding of social media and its relationship with news consumers
Project an appropriate professional appearance and demeanor
Ability to work in compliance with company policies and procedures
Ability to function well in a diverse team environment
Ability to work weekdays, weekends and holidays. Must be able to work early morning, midday, evening and overnight shifts.
Must have reliable form of transportation.
Average sitting, standing and office-type movements.
Light lifting, moving and pulling abilities.
Ability to communicate in English both verbally and in writing.
Ability to hear and see clearly.
Dexterity to manipulate computer keys and board controls as well as other office equipment.
Requires the ability to think critically and tactically and to articulate information in clear, concise manner to others verbally and in writing.
Must be able to think quickly and work under tight deadlines and in high pressure situations.
Ability to work in a variety of settings including outdoors.

Nice To Haves

In-depth knowledge of local D.C. news market
Knowledge of WordPress, Adobe Premiere, Final Cut and Adobe Audition

Responsibilities

Write and copyedit news articles
Write engaging headlines to accompany articles
Create photo galleries
Brainstorm and develop story ideas that impact and reflect the diverse region that WTOP covers
Actively pursue news tips that come in via email, phone calls or other official sources
Monitor local/national news outlets, social media and email to make sure WTOP is on top of the most relevant and breaking news stories of the day
Work with the digital team to ensure WTOP’s high journalistic standards and core brand attributes are met on a daily basis
Manage the WTOP.com homepage using news judgment and analytics to guide decisions
Edit and post video, as needed
Write engaging posts for social media, as needed
Send breaking news emails and app alerts. Deliver news with a sense of urgency 24/7
Communicate effectively and interact with reporters filing web articles, photos and videos
Work in conjunction with radio team to share information on stories WTOP is covering
Maintain awareness of radio product at all times, including weather and traffic reports
Other duties as assigned