EWA Seeks Top-Flight Journalist as Its Next 'Public Editor'
Monday, March 7, 2011
By: Caroline Hendrie

The National Education Writers Association (EWA), the professional organization for members of the media who specialize in education, is seeking an accomplished journalist to fill the innovative position of EWA Public Editor.

The public editor provides one-on-one coaching for reporters and editors by suggesting approaches to specific stories and projects; educating them on the issues; connecting them with reliable sources of information; helping think through approaches to the beat; assessing the value of research for journalists; evaluating reporters’ portfolios to help them improve; providing career advice; editing copy; and offering other customized assistance aimed at improving the quantity and quality of education coverage.

Besides working directly with journalists, other responsibilities include:

• Working with other members of the EWA team to plan programs, assist with conference planning, and manage projects designed to advance journalists’ understanding of the issues.
• Maintaining and marketing a blog that provides story ideas and commentary for journalists and the broader policy community.
• Creating online materials that proactively answer questions commonly brought to the public editor.
• Serving on panels, helping communications professionals understand and meet the needs of reporters, and acting as a resource for journalism professors.
• Contributing knowledge and guidance to EWA’s upcoming online community and reporter LISTSERVs.
• Reaching out to people who may be unaware of the public editor service.
• Finding ways to measure impact of the resource and providing regular reports to funders.
  
  

The ideal candidate will be a team player with experience as a reporter and/or editor, excellent writing and editing skills, and deep and broad knowledge of the issues facing education at every level, from early childhood through college. The position requires some of the same qualities a typical editor needs: the ability to offer honest but constructive criticism, the patience to not just listen to people’s frustrations but to help them work out solutions, the capacity to juggle many tasks at once, immediate responsiveness to e-mails and calls, and a knack for helping writers find their own voice.

The public editor will preferably be based at EWA headquarters in Washington, D.C. Some travel is required.

EWA offers a slate of medical, dental, disability, and retirement benefits. Salary is commensurate with experience.

Please send a resume and cover letter spelling out your qualifications for the position to jobs@ewa.org.