Weekend News Editor, NEWSWELL

Weekend News Editor – California, NEWSWELL

The weekend news editor for California is a quick-thinking, versatile and digitally savvy journalist who will join the dynamic NEWSWELL team.

This part-time editing role will focus on monitoring breaking news and features for all of our California properties — including San Diego, Stockton and Santa Barbara — and producing relevant stories for each news site. The editor will spend much of their time tracking wires, partner content and social media for breaking news, while also alerting local editors to major developments and coordinating initial coverage. Light reporting may be required. The position also may involve collaborating with NEWSWELL’s central operations team on a weekday.

We need a self-starter with excellent news instincts who can work independently, react quickly and make smart decisions under pressure.

NEWSWELL helps newsrooms become nonprofit and for-community. It provides strategic guidance, innovative solutions and wrap-around operations so local journalists can focus on local news, and newsrooms can best serve their communities. NEWSWELL partners with Arizona State University, the nation’s most innovative 10 years in a row, to offer game-changing ideas, tools and research. NEWSWELL transforms local news to help communities and democracy thrive.

The pay scale for this position ranges from $28 to $32/hour.

What you’ll do:

• Edit, produce and publish timely digital stories for San Diego, Stockton and Santa Barbara properties.

• Monitor partner content, wires, social media and community conversations to identify breaking news and relevant story ideas.

• Coordinate coverage by assigning freelance reporters, editing copy and posting stories, or work with local editors to deploy journalists for breaking news events.

• Alert local editors to significant developments, help shape initial coverage plans and ensure rapid response.

• Create and share content across social media channels, and write and send timely news alerts to keep audiences informed.

• Write newsletter toppers, select content and produce Sunday and Monday newsletters for at least one property.

• Report and write stories as needed, including breaking news and quick-turn features.

• Collaborate with NEWSWELL’s central operations team for planning and coordination.

• Fill in for various editors throughout the organization as needed to ensure continuity of coverage.

• Ensure all content is fact checked and meets ethical journalism standards.

• Create an inclusive work environment that values diversity, fosters belonging, empowers others and nourishes a culture that pushes for and celebrates wins.​

• Foster a culture of innovation by harnessing fresh ideas and experimenting with new tools, technologies and techniques that enhance digital and social media storytelling.

• Drive audience engagement through social media, SEO and immersive reporting experiences.

What you'll need:

• Exceptional editing skills with a sharp eye for accuracy, clarity and adherence to Associated Press style.

• Strong news judgment and ability to react quickly to breaking news.

• Excellent reporting and writing abilities for fast-turn stories.

• Deep understanding of legal and ethical standards in journalism, with a proven ability to apply and uphold them in all reporting and editing decisions.

• Proficiency with core journalism tools and skills, including:

  • WordPress (or similar content management systems) for digital publishing.

  • Photo editing software for quick image adjustments.

  • SEO best practices, especially headline writing that drives engagement.

• Familiarity with social media platforms and strategies for audience growth.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.

• A passion for local journalism and commitment to serving California communities.

• Knowledge of San Diego, Stockton or Santa Barbara communities is a plus.

• Spanish language skills are a plus, but not required.

Relevant qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in journalism or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• At least two to three years of experience working in an editing capacity, including responsibilities such as copy editing, story assignment and digital publishing.

• Experience reporting and/or assigning stories, with a strong understanding of newsroom workflows and deadlines.

Preferred qualifications:

• Preference for someone living near Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, San Diego or Stockton, but not required.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled, but those received by 5 p.m. PST on Feb. 6, 2026, will be prioritized. Please put together a single document file that includes the following, in this order:

• Your resume (one to two pages).

• A cover letter that highlights your strengths and explains why you make a strong candidate for the position.

• Links to three to five online samples of your work with one- to two-sentence descriptions for each link. The descriptions should contain details about what you did and how you did it.

Please assemble these materials into a single document and upload them in a PDF format.

NEWSWELL is an Equal Opportunity Employer