Full-Time: Copy Editor

KQED News is looking for a full-time Copy Editor, a skilled and savvy journalist with expertise in editing, copy editing and fact-checking across digital platforms — with preference given to candidates who have experience working in both English and Spanish. The Copy Editor will edit news stories and content for KQED.org, engagement platforms and anywhere else text could possibly live online.

The ideal candidate should also be extremely organized and able to prioritize under time constraints with grace and accuracy. They should be well accustomed to working for fast-paced publications.

This editor should be skilled in all aspects of copy editing and online production, which includes, but isn’t limited to, tracking and correcting all spelling, style and grammar errors, or flagging and/or fixing formatting issues. They must also excel at writing engaging and effective display copy such as headlines, sub-headlines, summaries and captions.

Duties include copy editing daily news stories as well as editing longer features and investigative stories; updating, developing, maintaining and enforcing an in-house style guide; patrolling news content on the website and other digital platforms regularly for accuracy and consistency issues.

As KQED grows its Spanish-language content and works to engage the Spanish-speaking Bay Area communities, we’d like this Copy Editor to help make KQED’s bilingual content clear and consistent — producing content that resonates with audiences. 

One of our core beliefs at KQED is that we are better together, and that we must commit to grow and improve each day, and hold ourselves accountable when we fall short of that commitment. When we do not stick to our values, our actions will disproportionately hurt the most marginalized people in society — including Black, Indigenous and all people of color, people with disabilities and LGBTQIA+ people. We believe that these communities must be centered in the work we do. We strongly encourage candidates from all marginalized communities to apply.

Essential Functions:

• Assesses copy needs quickly and addresses them efficiently to include correct grammar, punctuation, spelling and general news judgment
• Makes sure articles make sequential and logical sense
• Fact-checks with author and sources as needed
• Ensures text is consistent with KQED style guidelines
• Flags potential legal problems 
• Ensures that images and captions are correct
• Writes or edits highly effective headlines and excerpts that are accurate, compelling, engaging and SEO friendly 

Knowledge/Experience Required:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• At least three years’ experience in a similar role in a newsroom or news environment, bilingual newsroom preferred
• Experience writing and editing quickly and accurately in English 
• Familiarity with AP style
• Experience with copy editing multimedia content such as graphics, interactives or videos
• Proven collaboration skills — which are essential in working with fellow KQED staffers across departments and with partner organizations
• Experience with or a desire to develop a newsroom style guide with internal stakeholders that acknowledges social and historical shifts and adaptations of language
• Experience navigating the front and back end of a content management system 
• Familiarity with social media and engagement platforms
• Ability to work on their own and as part of a team
• Ability to stay focused, organized and proactive

Knowledge/Experience Desired:

• Expert-level written and spoken fluency in Spanish
• Copy editing experience at a Spanish-language media company or newsroom
• Familiarity with Real Academia Española rules for grammar in Spanish
• Experience writing and editing quickly and accurately in both English and Spanish
• Experience with basic HTML 
• Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite 
• Experience using social media tools and platforms to maximize reach and impact
• Proven capacity to identify opportunities for stories of high relevance to audiences
• Familiarity with and interest in optimizing language for social media and engagement platforms

Non-Essential Functions:

• On occasion, fills in for other producers or editors.
• Represents KQED at events.
• Other duties, as assigned.

If you’re interested in this job but don’t feel like you meet all of the qualifications, please consider applying and tell us more about yourself.

Let us tell you more about our benefits:

Whether you’re single, married, have children, are in a domestic partnership or anything in between, we have you covered. Employees at KQED enjoy a family-friendly workplace offering 20 days of paid time off, 11 paid holidays, paid parental leave, family medical leave benefits, comprehensive health/vision/dental and commuter benefits as well as a 403(b) plan. KQED encourages diversity, openness and offers training to support personal and professional development. In addition, we are proud to offer Employee Resource Groups, wellness programs as well as free KQED membership.

The mission that drives us:

KQED is for everyone who wants to be more.    

Our television, radio, digital media, and educational services change lives for the better and help individuals and communities achieve their full potential.

KQED serves the people of Northern California with a community-supported alternative to commercial media.    

We provide people with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions; convene community dialogue; bring the arts to everyone and engage audiences to share their stories. We help students and teachers thrive in 21st-century classrooms, and take people of all ages on journeys of exploration- exposing them to new people, places and ideas.

We celebrate diversity, embrace innovation, value lifelong learning and partner with those who share our passion for public services.