United Way of Lancaster County is seeking an editor to lead and manage its online news publication, One United Lancaster, and serve as its principal reporter. The ideal candidate will be an energetic, self- directed multitaskereager to take Pcharge of a growing grassroots community news outlet.
About the publication
One United Lancaster was launched in April 2020, initially as an informational resource for local nonprofits in the early days of the pandemic. It has since evolved into a grassroots nonprofit digital news outlet. It is sponsored by UnitedWay of Lancaster County, the only such arrangement in the country.
One United Lancaster covers Lancaster city and Lancaster County government and the nonprofit sector, focusing on health, housing and homelessness, workforce development, equity and similar topics. To date, it has won 13 Keystone Media Awards, statewide awards sponsored by the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association.
The editor is primarily responsible for content generation, with some assistance from United Way communications staff, freelancers and interns. Articles are posted five days a week, with each week’s “best of” collected into an email sentto more than 20,000 subscribers on Saturday mornings.
About the position
The editor of One United Lancaster is the publication’s sole dedicated fulltime employee. As such, the individual’stasks are wide-ranging:
- Editor: Work with United Way of Lancaster County’s communications staff to set One United Lancaster’s editorial philosophy and areas of focus. Work with staff, interns and freelancers to assign stories and oversee their development. Edit and post stories and accompanying content on the One United Lancaster website.
- Reporter: Report and write news stories on local government, nonprofits and related issues, anything from day-ofmeeting recaps to feature and enterprise reporting. {Visit OneUnitedLancaster.com to see our current range of coverage.} Take photographs to accompany articles; design and create graphics to summarize statistical or otherdata as needed.
- Community liaison: Be an ambassador for One United Lancaster, representing and acting in accordance with the publication’s values of fairness, objectivity, professionalism and integrity.
Qualifications
This position offers a unique opportunity for a well-rounded journalist to bring all their capacities to bear to the fullest. You willbe planning the publication’s coverage schedule; attending meetings and
interviewing sources; writing, editing and posting your own work; and supervising others’ reporting.
You will enjoy a high level of autonomy and will be to a large extent your own boss: Deciding what stories to cover, settingthe editorial direction and tone of coverage and so on, putting your own stamp on the publication and elevating issues ofimportance to the community.
While there is opportunity to work from home, this is not a remote position; the successful candidate will be expected to reside in or relocate to the Lancaster County area.
Specific qualifications desired:
- Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in journalism or related field plus at least 2 years of industry experience
- Strong oral and written communications skills
- Familiarity with content management systems and social media
- Familiarity with digital photography and photo editing. Familiarity with digital video editing a plus, but not required
Employment
United Way of Lancaster County offers competitive salary and benefits packages.
United Way of Lancaster County is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualifiedapplicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, disability, or other protected status.
All United Way of Lancaster employees are employed at will.
How to apply
Please submit a resume, letter of interest and three or more writing samples {PDFs or links to online content} to btice@uwlanc.org
