Visual Editor, Washington D.C

Radio Free Asia • Washington DC, WA

6d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Visual Editor strengthens and ensures consistency in the visual layer of Radio Free Asia’s journalism across desks, including photography, video, graphics, maps, and forensic visuals. The role supports daily coverage as well as investigative and explanatory projects, helping complex stories reach audiences through web, social, and video platforms. The Visual Editor works closely with the visuals capacity within Production & Assets.

This is a full-time, exempt position based in Washington, DC, following a hybrid schedule of three days in the office and two days remote. Some flexibility in work hours is required to accommodate international time zones. The role is not eligible for company sponsorship for work authorization; applicants must already have authorization to work.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Photojournalism, Visual Communication, Graphic Design, Film, or a related field; equivalent demonstrated professional experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• At least 10 years of professional experience in visual journalism, such as photo editing, video editing, or visual production in a newsroom or equivalent editorial environment.
• Portfolio of published work.
• Experience working across multiple visual formats and platforms, including still photography, video, graphics, and social-native formats, in a multi-platform publishing environment.
• Strong visual news judgment and ability to assess imagery for accuracy, sourcing integrity, newsworthiness, and ethical appropriateness.
• Excellent proficiency with industry-standard visual editing tools, including Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom for still imagery and Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro for video.
• Working proficiency in visual verification techniques, including reverse image search, geolocation, and chronolocation.
• Working knowledge of digital asset management systems and multi-platform publishing workflows.
• Understanding of visual ethics in sensitive coverage contexts, including imagery of victims, at-risk subjects, and events in closed or conflict environments.
• Experience managing freelance visual contributors, including editing and rights negotiation.
• Some flexibility in work hours to accommodate international time zones.
• Existing work authorization is required; the company does not sponsor work authorization for this position.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with data visualization, motion graphics, or interactive storytelling.
• Familiarity with RFA’s coverage regions and one or more broadcast languages.
• Prior experience in international news or coverage of politically sensitive, conflict, or human rights subjects.
• Demonstrated ability to work across multilingual, multicultural desk teams and provide visual editorial guidance without direct line authority over desk staff.
• Fluency in one of RFA’s languages.

Responsibilities

• Follow and uphold RFA’s visual standards across all desks, including accuracy, sourcing, captioning, and ethical use of imagery, with AI disclosure where relevant.
• Evaluate incoming photo and video for authenticity, quality, and relevance, including identifying deepfakes, recycled footage, and state-aligned manipulation.
• Commission, assign, and edit visual coverage for daily news and projects in partnership with desks and freelancers.
• Collaborate with OSINT and Data journalists to produce forensic visuals, satellite-imagery analysis, maps, and data graphics.
• Shape visual storytelling for distribution across platforms and optimize formats for each channel.
• Coordinate with Production & Assets on digital asset management workflows, rights management, and production training.
• Coach desk staff and contributors on visual storytelling and verification.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior