Assigning Editor/Reporter, Times of San Diego

​​The assigning editor/reporter is a dynamic, versatile and digitally savvy journalist who will join the Times of San Diego team. Times of San Diego is a nonprofit news organization based in San Diego, California.

This hybrid role will involve working closely with newsroom editors to identify, prioritize, and assign high-impact stories that align with our editorial goals, while also actively contributing as a reporter.

We need a team player invested in the future of local news — one who understands the importance of community news and embraces analytical and digital tools to better serve audiences across multiple platforms, including print.

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Times of San Diego launched in 2014, joined NEWSWELL in 2024 and joined forces with the San Diego Community Newspaper Group earlier this year.

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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 salary range for this role is $56,887 to $60,403

What you’ll do  

• Monitor local news developments, social media, and community conversations to surface timely and relevant story ideas.

• Assign stories to staff reporters, interns, and freelancers, providing feedback and establishing deadlines.

• Help manage and maintain editorial calendars to support planning, coordination and timely publication of content for print, digital and social platforms.

• Assess pitches from freelancers and contributors.

• Use audience analytics tools to inform editorial planning, improve story performance, and assess freelance and contributor content.

• Work with editors to maintain and regularly update the freelance budget by tracking assignments, rates and total spending.

• Follow news topics to identify trends, recognize areas ripe for follow-up in order to turn those insights into proactive assignments that separate our content from our competitors.

• Support the editorial team in adapting stories and formats for digital, print and social platforms.

• Report and write stories as needed, including breaking news.

• 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 organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.

• A demonstrated passion for local journalism and a deep commitment to serving the community.

• Strong reporting and writing abilities, with sharp news judgment, attention to detail and a focus on accuracy.

• Proficiency in Associated Press style and a strong command of grammar.

• Familiarity with editorial planning, project management and budgeting tools, such as Airtable and Excel.

Required Education and experience   

• Bachelor's or master's degree in journalism or related field related or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• ​At least one to two years of experience in a newsroom, including reporting and/or assigning stories.

• Experience managing print calendars to ensure timely coverage that fills set space for weekly or semi-weekly newspapers.

 Preferred Education and experience  

• Knowledge of San Diego communities and local issues are a plus.

• Spanish language skills are a plus but not required.

Benefits  

• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance 

• 401(k) plan with matching employer contribution 

• 22 days of vacation time 

• 11 holidays, including your birthday 

• Parental leave 

• Significant tuition reductions 

• Professional development is highly valued at ASU Enterprise Partners, where employees are encouraged to look across the organization and nurture new areas of interest 

• $30 bi-weekly cell phone reimbursement