By Adam Pagnucco.
Danielle Gaines, the editor in chief of Maryland Matters, has announced that she is stepping down from her position near the end of this month. States Newsroom, which supports a network of news sites including Maryland Matters, is now seeking her successor.
If you’re not reading Maryland Matters, you need to start reading it right now. Launched by legendary reporter Josh Kurtz in 2017, Maryland Matters quickly became indispensable for everyone interested in politics and government across the Free State. It’s not a large organization, but it has a huge impact on our community and media landscape.
States Newsroom’s job advertisement for editor in chief is reprinted below. If you think you can do this job, apply for it. Good luck!
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Maryland Matters Editor in Chief
Join States Newsroom as Editor in Chief of Maryland Matters, the premier site for news about Maryland government and politics.
States Newsroom, a growing network of nonprofit news sites focused on state government, policy and politics is looking for an experienced journalist to serve as Editor-in-Chief for Maryland Matters. The outlet covers all the important issues: education and transportation, poverty and health care, energy and the environment, the business community and organized labor, and of course, politics. Come ensure Marylanders, from Ocean City to Oakland, have the nonpartisan news they need to hold their government and elected officials accountable.
With an eye on critical government stories from Capitol Hill to the State House to Baltimore City Hall, the Editor will oversee a dynamic site, produce a daily newsletter, and continue to build the outlet’s robust social media presence. The Editor will also work closely with States Newsroom and network peers in other states to share best practices and build relationships that help refine the outlet’s operations.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Supervise and hire journalists to provide daily news coverage and investigative reporting on major state policy and political stories
Write regularly on major state policy and political stories
Develop and distribute original content daily
Work with audience staff to build a robust social media presence including emerging platforms
Develop and distribute original content to drive area news coverage
Solicit editorial content from contributors for opinion section
Participate in weekly calls, and periodic visits with National Editor(s) as well as regular meetings of all States Newsroom editors in Washington, DC
The Editor will have funding for staffing, freelancers, technology and overhead expenses. Technical, marketing and editorial support are provided by our headquarters office.
QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPENSATION
The ideal candidate will have at least 10 years of reporting and/or editing experience, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a deep knowledge of Maryland’s political history and media landscape.
The minimum salary for a state editor is $95,000 and rises with experience. Our generous benefits package includes:
Premium-free platinum healthcare for employees and their families (i.e., nothing comes out of your paycheck!)
4 weeks of vacation per year
2 weeks of personal leave per year
20 hours of paid volunteer time per year
11 paid holidays per year
$75 monthly cell phone reimbursement
$200 cell phone replacement benefit every two years
$75 monthly fitness benefit
401K with up to 3% match
12 weeks of parental leave
Full-service EAP
Annual DeleteMe subscription
Authorization to work in the United States is required. All States Newsroom employees are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID within 30 days of hire. All necessary equipment will be provided by States Newsroom.
ABOUT OUR CULTURE
States Newsroom is dedicated to producing journalism at all levels — from quick hit to investigative — but not at the expense of burning out its employees. We are supportive, exciting, welcoming and positive. We believe in creating sustainable careers for journalists on the crucial state government beat.
States Newsroom’s mission is to connect people to the power that shapes their daily lives through relentless reporting and incisive commentary on state government and policy. Journalism is a powerful force for social change, uniquely suited to challenging systemic inequality and racism. Our goal is to build an organization that fulfills that mission.
At States Newsroom, we believe we strengthen our work and improve our insights when we incorporate the perspectives of people who come from different backgrounds and have had different experiences. We are committed to diversity and prioritize equity in all recruiting and hiring. We are always working to better represent our communities and are supported in these efforts by a network-wide Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice committee.
To apply, send a cover letter, resume with references and at least five writing samples or clips/links to jobs<at>statesnewsroom.com.