By Adam Pagnucco.
Bethesda Beat, MoCo’s online news publication of record, is hiring for the positions of Managing Editor and Education Reporter. I bet one of you, our readers, could do a great job for them! The job descriptions are reprinted below.
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Managing Editor, Bethesda Beat
Z-Pop Media, publisher of Bethesda Beat and Bethesda Magazine, is looking for an enterprising and talented managing editor for Bethesda Beat, the pre-eminent daily news source covering Montgomery County, Maryland. This editor will execute our editorial growth strategy across platforms; direct and edit timely content; and manage digital channels.
This role requires skill in driving for accountability, developing new audiences, understanding our communities, unearthing untold stories, shaping ambitious coverage, managing a team, and collaborating with colleagues in the digital, audience, visuals and marketing teams.
Who We Are
Bethesda Magazine is an award-winning long-form publication that covers the people, places and issues in Montgomery County, Maryland and upper northwest Washington, D.C. Bethesda Beat is an award-winning online local news site. Both are published by Z-Pop Media, the most trusted media company in Montgomery County, one of the nation’s most populous, affluent and diverse counties.
What We Value
We are committed to:
Serving the community by producing extraordinary content and events that inform and engage local residents
Providing a work environment that is based on respect and that is inclusive to all and free of discrimination
Creating opportunities for advancement and growth for our employees
Responsibilities
Execute our strategy to expand our journalism, impact and presence on all relevant digital and social platforms, and thereby grow our audience and membership
Run day-to-day operations of the Beat newsroom and digital channels. Monitor and assign breaking news and guide reporters to produce impactful work on tight deadlines. Direct and assign content that prioritizes accountability and information audiences can’t get anywhere else
Use news judgment and analytics, as well as collaboration with the digital and audience strategy team, to shape content to meet reader needs and improve audience reach.
Guide reporters on story and content development, ensuring content is fair, well edited and produced promptly for digital distribution. Mentor reporters.
Work with the audience team to search for and assign content opportunities outside of our usual beats, especially those trending on search and social.
Use expertise and good judgment assigning content in the most appropriate formats, such as stories, data visualizations, takeaways, photo galleries and maps.
Perfect must-read headlines and maximize SEO
Manage special projects such as voters guides; host forums and other community gatherings; and represent the organization in events and membership campaigns
Collaborate with the managing editor/longform to share ideas, sources, information and reporting resources, and to support editing for Bethesda Magazine.
Shifts may include nights and/or weekends.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications or related field, or equivalent experience
Excellent writing and editing skills, news judgment and audience sensibility
Passion for and facility with local journalism
At least two years’ experience as a reporter or one year as an editor/producer
Proven ability to work quickly and accurately using a Web-based content management system. One-two years of professional site production experience is preferred.
Must work well with a team, have the ability to multitask in a deadline-driven environment, and adapt constructively to change
Ability to write and edit Spanish a plus.
The job is located in Bethesda Magazine’s office in Montgomery County. We offer a competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance and a matched 401K program, as well as flexibility for remote work and opportunities for career development.
Z-Pop Media is an equal opportunity employer intent on building a diverse newsroom that reflects the audience it serves. Candidates are encouraged to highlight new perspectives they can bring to our team.
Qualified candidates should send a cover letter, resume and salary requirement to Anne Tallent, executive editor, at anne.tallent@bethesdamagazine.com.
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Education Reporter
Bethesda Beat, a vital outlet serving Montgomery County, Maryland, is looking for a savvy, Spanish-speaking reporter to cover education.
About 160,000 students—nearly a third of them Hispanic—are enrolled in the public K-12 system, the 15th-largest in the nation; the area hosts higher education institutions as well as numerous private schools.
This role requires an ambitious mix of breaking news, enterprise and approaches driven by what readers need to know. This reporting role also produces a weekly education newsletter.
Candidates should have fluency covering education, using public records and data, and explaining complex issues.
Who We Are
Bethesda Beat is an award-winning local news site. Bethesda Magazine is an award-winning bi-monthly publication that covers the people, places and issues in Montgomery County, Maryland. Both are published by Z-Pop Media, the leading media company in Montgomery County, one of the nation’s largest and most affluent and diverse counties.
What We Value
We are committed to:
Serving the community by producing extraordinary content and events that inform and engage local residents
Providing a work environment that is based on respect and that is inclusive to all and free of discrimination
Creating opportunities for advancement and growth for our employees
Responsibilities
Report breaking news as it happens—quickly, fairly and accurately. Expand stories if necessary.
Work with editors to present relevant stories in Spanish and English.
Cultivate a network of diverse sources on your beat.
Pitch and develop enterprise stories that readers can’t find anywhere else.
Use public records to find scoops and do data reporting, and use digital tools to present data visualizations.
Strategically use social media to build sources, track news and distribute content.
Qualifications
One-three years of reporting experience, including education coverage, at a daily news organization
Full fluency in English and Spanish
Excellent writing skills and the ability to tell a story
Excellent news judgment, audience awareness and understanding of journalistic ethics
Experience working in a digital publishing system
Familiarity with and interest in Montgomery County
Willingness to represent Bethesda Beat on audio and video platforms
Working knowledge of photography
To apply
Email Bethesda Beat acting managing editor Julie Rasicot (julie.rasicot@bethesdamagazine.com) and executive editor Anne Tallent (anne.tallent@bethesdamagazine.com) with a resume (as a PDF), references and links to a half-dozen clips that demonstrate breaking news and enterprise on education or development coverage. No phone calls, please.
The job is located in our office in North Bethesda. We offer a competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance and a matched 401K program, as well as flexibility for hybrid work and opportunities for career development.