Opinion Editor

Date Posted	August 29, 2024
Industry	Newspapers
Specialty	Not Specified
Required Education	Bachelor's Degree
Job Status	Full-time

Description:

Job Summary:

 This position oversees the Opinion sections for The Durango Herald and The Journal that covers Montezuma County. In collaboration with the Chairman of the Editorial Board, the editor creates and selects thoughtful, provocative and timely content for the two newspapers and their online presences.  This position leads critical conversations important to Southwest Colorado and continually finds ways to engage with our audiences.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Research and write editorials that represent the Editorial Board.
• Research and analyze current issues and advocate editorial positions;
• Maintain in-depth knowledge of relevant political, economic, cultural and social issues at the local, state and national levels, as well as breaking news;
• Build and maintain relationships with local, state and federal elected and appointed officials;
• Attend public meeting on key issues;
• Interview public officials, candidates for public office, policy advocates and community members;
• Coordinate and facilitate monthly meetings with the public Editorial Advisory Board, which is comprised of community members who discuss relevant topics on state and local policies;
• Edit and prepare letters to the editor, guest and syndicated columns and editorial cartoons for publication;
• Responsible for the editorial page’s online presence through regular writing and leveraging of social media to engage readers and sources through digital publishing tools and applications;
• Design print edition pages using NAVIGA content management system and Adobe InDesign;
• Regularly travel to Montezuma County and Cortez to adequately comment on the issues there.

Qualifications:

      ·     Bachelor’s degree in journalism and 7+ years’ experience, with specific experience in opinion writing;

      ·     However, a strong interest in current events, clear thinking and good writing can partially substitute for education and experience;

• Experience writing about local government, economic development, education and environmental issues;
• Skilled at understanding complex issues and passionate while debating issues with colleagues;
• Excellent at cultivating sources;
•    Knowledgeable about and can engage readers by editorializing about issues in the communities we serve.

Additional Requirements:

Position is subject to satisfactory completion of a background check and reference checks. A valid driver’s license is also required for this position.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to walk, use hands to finger, handle objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; bending or crouching; talk or hear. The employee must be able to lift/carry and/or move up to 15 pounds safely. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Work Environment: The noise level in the work environment is usually minimal while in the office. 

Ballantine Communications, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other legally protected status. We are committed to ADA compliance and ensuring equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please contact hr@bcimedia.com.

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