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Documentary Editing Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Filmmaking Tutor

Rockville, MD · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

... editing with software like Adobe Premiere or Final Cut Pro. Emphasizes the collaborative nature of filmmaking and connects technical skills to narrative storytelling, documentary making, and ...

Filmmaking Tutor

Washington, DC · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

... editing with software like Adobe Premiere or Final Cut Pro. Emphasizes the collaborative nature of filmmaking and connects technical skills to narrative storytelling, documentary making, and ...

Filmmaking Tutor

Laurel, MD · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

... editing with software like Adobe Premiere or Final Cut Pro. Emphasizes the collaborative nature of filmmaking and connects technical skills to narrative storytelling, documentary making, and ...

Filmmaking Tutor

Fairfax, VA · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

... editing with software like Adobe Premiere or Final Cut Pro. Emphasizes the collaborative nature of filmmaking and connects technical skills to narrative storytelling, documentary making, and ...

Filmmaking Tutor

Alexandria, VA · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

... editing with software like Adobe Premiere or Final Cut Pro. Emphasizes the collaborative nature of filmmaking and connects technical skills to narrative storytelling, documentary making, and ...

Filmmaking Tutor

College Park, MD · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

... editing with software like Adobe Premiere or Final Cut Pro. Emphasizes the collaborative nature of filmmaking and connects technical skills to narrative storytelling, documentary making, and ...

Filmmaking Tutor

Bowie, MD · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

... editing with software like Adobe Premiere or Final Cut Pro. Emphasizes the collaborative nature of filmmaking and connects technical skills to narrative storytelling, documentary making, and ...

Senior Video Producer

Washington, DC · On-site

$115K - $128K/yr

C. * Fulfills numerous duties including scripting, shooting, editing, and project managing video ... video, animated gifs, documentary, and direct addresses in accordance with assigned service ...

Photographer

Hyattsville, MD · On-site

$18 - $40/hr

... documentary-style productions. You will be responsible for producing high-quality imagery that ... Proficiency in photography and editing tools such as Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop. * Solid ...

Showing results 21-40

Documentary Editing information

What is documentary editing?

Documentary editing is the process of assembling, organizing, and refining recorded footage, interviews, audio, and other elements to create a cohesive and compelling nonfiction film or video. Editors work closely with directors and producers to shape the narrative, determine pacing, and ensure that the story is both engaging and accurate. This role often involves making creative decisions about what content to include or omit, as well as incorporating graphics, sound, and music to enhance the final product.

What are typical challenges faced by documentary editors when shaping a story from raw footage?

Documentary editors often encounter the challenge of organizing large amounts of unscripted footage into a compelling, coherent narrative. They must balance the director's vision with the available material, sometimes working with incomplete or evolving storylines. Tight deadlines, last-minute changes, and collaborating closely with directors, producers, and sound designers are also common aspects of the role. Strong communication and creative problem-solving skills are essential for overcoming these challenges and producing a polished final product.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a documentary editor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Documentary Editor, you need a strong grasp of storytelling, video editing principles, and experience with non-linear editing software, often supported by a degree in film, media, or related fields. Proficiency with tools like Adobe Premiere Pro, Avid Media Composer, or Final Cut Pro, as well as knowledge of formats and post-production workflows, is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, time management, and collaboration are crucial soft skills that help editors craft compelling narratives and work well with directors and producers. These skills and qualities are vital for producing engaging, coherent documentaries that effectively communicate their message and meet production deadlines.

What is the difference between Documentary Editing vs Video Editing?

AspectDocumentary EditingVideo Editing
CredentialsOften requires editing experience, film or media backgroundRequires editing skills, often with specific software knowledge
Work EnvironmentFilm or documentary production settingsVaries from corporate videos to social media content
Industry UsagePrimarily in film, television, and documentary projectsAcross multiple industries including marketing, entertainment, and corporate

Documentary editing focuses on shaping real-life footage into compelling stories, often requiring a deep understanding of storytelling and factual accuracy. Video editing is broader, encompassing various types of video content, from commercials to social media clips. While both roles require editing skills, documentary editing emphasizes narrative construction within factual contexts, making it more specialized.

What are popular job titles related to Documentary Editing jobs in Washington?

For Documentary Editing jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Documentary Editing jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Documentary Editing job openings:

Infographic showing various Documentary Editing job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Internship, 74% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 3% Temporary, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 69% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 25% Remote job distribution.

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Re-posted 19 days ago


Job description

Job Announcement
Extremism Desk Lead
About MBN
Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MBN) is the premier Arabic-first media organization that connects the Middle East and the United States. The company is in the midst of an exciting digital transformation and looking for energetic and talented people who care about journalism and the Middle East to join us on this journey.
We provide original and indispensable reporting, perspectives and commentary on the Middle East and how America's engagement impacts the region. MBN delivers content in both Arabic and English across multiple platforms, in formats including written articles, short-form video, newsletters, podcasts, data trackers and social media.
Our target audience is decision-makers, influencers, and residents of key capitals across the Middle East, as well as the next generation of globally engaged, digitally connected youth.
About the Role
The Extremism Desk Lead will design, build, recruit, and manage a cross-platform team of journalists focused on rigorous, field-rooted coverage of terrorism, jihadist movements, organized extremism, and the security structures created to combat them across the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.
This role will oversee major editorial projects and products related to extremism, including multimedia reporting, documentaries, short-form video, social content, newsletters, and podcasts. The position requires strong editorial judgment, regional knowledge, leadership ability, and experience managing sensitive journalism with accuracy, balance, and professionalism..
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
The following tasks are considered essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions:
  • Design, build, recruit, and manage a cross-platform editorial team focused on terrorism, jihadist movements, organized extremism, counterterrorism, and regional security issues.
  • Lead field-rooted and audience-focused coverage of extremism and security developments across the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.
  • Oversee journalistic work produced by the team across digital, video, audio, newsletter, podcast, and social media platforms.
  • Develop and manage a multi-part multimedia series focused on the 25th anniversary of 9/11, including a documentary, short-form web videos, and social media content.
  • Ensure the 9/11 anniversary series examines the region's lived experience of the "War on Terror" and explores where extremism stands today.
  • Develop and oversee an extremism-focused newsletter product that provides timely, clear, and analytical coverage for MBN audiences.
  • Create and manage a bi-weekly English-language podcast focused on extremism, terrorism, counterterrorism, security policy, and affected communities.
  • Work closely with reporters, editors, producers, digital teams, and social media staff to plan, produce, edit, and publish high-quality journalism.
  • Review stories, scripts, podcast outlines, newsletters, and social media content for accuracy, fairness, tone, sensitivity, and compliance with MBN's editorial standards.
  • Identify important trends, story ideas, interviews, investigations, and explainers related to extremism, political violence, radicalization, and counterterrorism.
  • Develop and maintain relationships with credible sources, experts, analysts, academics, civil society voices, and regional contributors.
  • Ensure coverage avoids sensationalism, stereotypes, propaganda amplification, and unverified claims.
  • Perform additional duties as assigned.
Other Duties:
Perform additional job-related duties and take on new responsibilities as needed based on organizational requirements and circumstances.
Qualifications and Requirements:
Candidates are required to have:
  • Bachelor's degree in Journalism, International Relations, Political Science, Middle East Studies, Security Studies, Communications, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
  • 7+ years of professional experience in journalism, editorial leadership, investigative reporting, conflict reporting, international news, or related media work.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of terrorism, jihadist movements, organized extremism, counterterrorism, political violence, or regional security issues.
  • Strong understanding of the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and related geopolitical developments.
  • Proven ability to lead editorial teams and manage cross-platform journalism projects.
  • Experience working across digital, video, audio, newsletter, podcast, and social media formats.
  • Excellent editorial judgment, writing, editing, story-framing, and project-management skills.
  • Ability to handle sensitive topics with accuracy, balance, cultural awareness, and professionalism.
  • Strong understanding of journalistic ethics, source verification, fact-checking, legal risk, and editorial standards.
  • Ability to work under tight deadlines in a fast-paced, digital-first newsroom environment.
  • Professional fluency in English is required.
  • Arabic language skills are strongly preferred.
  • Experience covering Middle East affairs, international security, terrorism, counterterrorism, or conflict is highly desirable.

MBN is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce diversity.