Writer/Editor, The Stockton Record
About The Position
The Stockton Record/recordnet.com, part of USA TODAY Co., is seeking a player/coach writer/editor to lead local journalism in Stockton. The role combines reporting and editing: pursuing high-interest, impactful journalism while mentoring and assigning other journalists, helping shape stories from idea to publication, and maintaining a consistent flow of quality work focused on community interests and needs. The position is based in Stockton and is not remote. The writer/editor will help cultivate a high-performing, collaborative, inclusive team and serve as a visible representative of the newsroom in the community. As a hands-on digital leader, the role uses social media, SEO, audience metrics, and content strategy reporting to adapt coverage and grow audience engagement and digital subscriptions. The position is part of Gannett’s Center for Community Journalism, a nationwide leadership, editing, and planning structure supporting small and mid-sized newsrooms. Work may extend across multiple newsrooms and state lines. The player/coach reports to the group editor and supervises frontline journalists. Applicants should submit a single PDF containing a one- to two-page resume, a cover letter describing their approach to the job, and links to no more than three published stories, writing samples, and/or audio samples. Employment is contingent on passing a pre-employment, post-offer background check, drug screen, and motor vehicle record check.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, marketing, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 3–5 years of relevant work experience.
- Commitment to fairness, diversity, inclusion, and professionalism.
- Live and work in the coverage area; the position is not remote. Must live in the area or be able to relocate.
- Strong writing skills and command of grammar and style.
- Strong story and word-editing skills.
- Knowledge of data-based reporting and spreadsheets such as Excel.
- Ability to collaborate locally and regionally to meet common goals.
- Facility with AI and automation, and experience using them to enhance journalism.
- Demonstrated commitment to reader interests and questions when helping reporters frame stories, using tools such as Google Trends and Parse.ly.
- Strong planning, organizational, and time-management skills.
- Understanding of metrics, social media, and SEO and how they relate to the audience funnel.
- Self-motivation and self-direction.
- Ability to work as a team member, multitask, and perform under deadline pressure in a rapidly changing environment.
- Solid news judgment and mastery of ethical and legal principles in day-to-day journalism.
- Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and the minimum liability insurance required by state law.
- Must pass a pre-employment, post-offer background check, drug screen, and motor vehicle record check.
- Applicants must be authorized to work in the applicable location.
Nice To Haves
- Management or supervisory experience.
Responsibilities
- Coach and directly supervise frontline journalists.
- Ensure steady productivity around high-value topics and adjust priorities as needed.
- Prioritize DEIB values in story selection, sourcing, hiring, and coaching.
- Represent the news organization locally and ensure frontline journalists engage with the community.
- Help staff develop storytelling skills across real-time digital updates, narrative storytelling, alternative story forms, and multimedia.
- Use metrics and analytics to determine how to reach and grow the audience.
- Increase digital audience and engagement and grow digital subscriptions.
- Ensure daily work is completed efficiently and on time by setting priorities and coordinating with colleagues.
- Administer company policies that directly affect team members and receive assignments in the form of objectives tied to goals.
- Assign and edit articles for context, completeness, fairness, accuracy, balance, and adherence to news values.
- Apply strong news judgment when selecting, prioritizing, and editing content.
- Write effective digital headlines, social media posts, briefs, and breaking news alerts to attract audiences.
- Pursue impactful journalism and guide stories from idea through publication.
- Use audience trends, social media, SEO, and content strategy reports to adapt coverage in real time.
- Help reporters frame stories around reader interests and questions.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
