Social Media Video Editor (Contract)

The San Francisco Standard • San Francisco, CA

12h • Onsite

About The Position

The San Francisco Standard is seeking a creative, deeply online social video editor to turn journalism into compelling, platform-native videos for Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and other social platforms. The role primarily involves editing footage captured by reporters, creators, freelancers, and other newsroom contributors, finding strong moments and shaping them into engaging stories. The editor will also shoot original footage in the field, covering breaking news, events, community happenings, cultural moments, and everyday life in San Francisco.

Working with the Social Video Director and newsroom, the editor will develop fresh ideas and creative approaches to coverage ranging from politics and breaking news to food and culture. The role calls for someone curious, resourceful, comfortable working independently, and excited to experiment with social video. This is an in-person contract role for an initial three-month period, with regular office hours at the San Francisco newsroom and occasional evening or weekend work. The position pays $45 per hour and reports to the Social Video Director.

Requirements

• Experience as a video shooter and editor, with a portfolio demonstrating original footage and polished, platform-native social videos.
• Proficiency in Adobe Premiere Pro.
• Strong visual storytelling skills, including the ability to find a compelling narrative in footage the editor did not shoot, even when it is imperfect or incomplete.
• Skill in editing interviews, news footage, reporter standups, and other material into concise, engaging videos.
• Knowledge of motion graphics, color correction, audio mixing, captioning, and other post-production techniques.
• Knowledge of social platforms, their native features, and what makes content successful on each.
• Ability to turn around timely content quickly without sacrificing quality or accuracy.
• Comfort working with reporters and contributors who have different levels of video experience.
• Strong organization and attention to detail, with the ability to juggle multiple projects and shifting editorial priorities.
• Ability to work independently in the field and collaboratively in a busy newsroom.
• Curiosity about San Francisco, its communities, and the stories worth telling.
• Comfort experimenting, iterating, and treating social media as a creative playground.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with After Effects, Edits, CapCut, or similar tools.

Responsibilities

• Shoot and edit short-form videos for Instagram Reels, TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and other social platforms.
• Edit footage from reporters, freelancers, creators, and other newsroom contributors into engaging, cohesive stories.
• Shoot original video in the field using smartphones, independently or alongside reporters.
• Cover breaking news, events, community happenings, and cultural moments around San Francisco, sometimes on short notice.
• Create fast-turnaround videos optimized for strong hooks, storytelling, pacing, audience retention, and shareability.
• Work with reporters and producers to identify strong moments, develop story structures, and determine what additional visuals or sound may be needed.
• Guide newsroom contributors on capturing footage suitable for social video, including framing, audio, interviews, and visual storytelling.
• Pitch original video concepts, recurring formats, and creative approaches to covering San Francisco.
• Collaborate with reporters and editors to identify stories with strong visual and social potential.
• Use graphics, captions, music, natural sound, and other creative elements to make videos engaging and accessible.
• Stay current on platform trends, creator formats, audience behaviors, and emerging production tools.
• Manage multiple projects and deadlines while maintaining editorial standards, accuracy, and attention to detail.

What This Job Offers

• Education Level: No Education Listed