News Updates Writer, Simply Recipes

People Inc.

1d•Remote

About The Position

This assignment posting is for an Agency Worker opportunity with People Inc. The Agency Worker is paid by a staffing agency employer. Agency Workers will receive a W2 from the staffing agency reporting their earnings for tax purposes. People Inc. is looking for a remote writer to write and produce timely content for Simply Recipes to cover food recalls that are relevant to our readers. This writer will monitor and report on recalls involving groceries and ingredients that home cooks may have in their kitchens. Recall coverage is an important service we provide to readers, and accuracy, speed, and strong news judgment are essential. The ideal candidate can quickly review recall announcements from government agencies, companies, and retailers; identify the information that matters most to consumers; verify key details; and turn that reporting into clear, concise news stories in the Simply Recipes voice. This role requires more than summarizing a recall announcement. Writers should be able to prioritize information, provide useful context, and clearly explain what readers need to know and what, if anything, they should do.

Requirements

At least two years of professional writing or reporting experience, preferably for a digital publication; experience covering food, consumer news, health and safety, or breaking news is a plus
Excellent news judgment and the ability to quickly identify the most important information in government, company, and retailer recall notices
Strong reporting, writing, fact-checking, and copy-editing skills
Exceptional attention to detail, particularly when working with product names, UPCs, lot codes, dates, and other identifying information
An understanding of reliable sourcing and the ability to distinguish primary and authoritative sources from secondary reporting
Ability to translate technical or government language into clear, conversational copy without sacrificing accuracy
Ability to write quickly and accurately on deadline
Familiarity with food, grocery products, cooking, and the concerns of home cooks is strongly preferred
Ability to adopt an established brand voice and adhere to editorial and style guidelines
Comfortable working independently and communicating clearly with editors
Candidates will be asked to complete a short writing test demonstrating their ability to report and write a food recall story for Simply Recipes.

Nice To Haves

experience covering food, consumer news, health and safety, or breaking news is a plus
Familiarity with food, grocery products, cooking, and the concerns of home cooks is strongly preferred

Responsibilities

Monitor sources, including the FDA, USDA, CDC, company, and retailer websites, for food recalls relevant to Simply Recipes readers
Write timely, accurate recall stories that prioritize the information most useful to home cooks on an agreed upon 24-hour turnaround timeline
Identify and clearly communicate key recall details, including product names, package sizes, UPCs, lot or batch codes, dates, establishment numbers, and distribution information, when applicable
Explain the reason for a recall and any potential health risks accurately and without overstating or speculating about the level of risk
Clearly explain what readers should do if they have a recalled product, based on guidance from the appropriate government agency, manufacturer, or retailer
Verify recall information against additional authoritative sources when available and flag discrepancies between sources
Write clear, accurate, and compelling headlines that identify the recalled product and, when relevant, the associated brand or retailer
Include appropriate sourcing, attribution, and links in every story
Work independently and efficiently to turn around assignments on deadline
Follow Simply Recipes' editorial standards, voice, and style guidelines