... River Forest. In early 2026, NEWSWELL Chicago acquired these storied community newspapers. That ... The Executive Editor will collaborate across teams, coach reporters, guide coverage priorities ...
... River Forest. In early 2026, NEWSWELL Chicago acquired these storied community newspapers. That ... The Executive Editor will collaborate across teams, coach reporters, guide coverage priorities ...
... River Forest. In early 2026, NEWSWELL Chicago acquired these storied community newspapers. That ... The Executive Editor will collaborate across teams, coach reporters, guide coverage priorities ...
... River Forest. In early 2026, NEWSWELL Chicago acquired these storied community newspapers. That ... The Executive Editor will collaborate across teams, coach reporters, guide coverage priorities ...
Freelance River Rafting Guide information
What is a freelance river rafting guide?
Freelance river rafting guides are outdoor professionals who lead rafting trips on rivers, typically working on a contract or per-trip basis rather than for a single employer. They are responsible for ensuring the safety of participants, providing instruction on paddling and river safety, and sharing knowledge about the local environment. Freelance guides have the flexibility to work for various tour companies or organize independent trips, and they must be skilled in river navigation and emergency response. Their work often involves travel to different rivers and adapting to changing weather and water conditions.
What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a freelance river rafting guide?
To thrive as a Freelance River Rafting Guide, you need strong paddling skills, swiftwater rescue knowledge, and certifications in CPR and first aid. Familiarity with river navigation tools, safety equipment, and often Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification is typically required. Excellent communication, leadership, and customer service skills make guides stand out by ensuring both safety and a memorable client experience. These competencies are crucial for managing river hazards, providing effective instruction, and delivering enjoyable and safe adventures for all participants.
What are some common challenges freelance river rafting guides face, and how can they prepare for them?
As a freelance river rafting guide, you may encounter challenges such as unpredictable weather, fluctuating river conditions, and managing clients with varying skill levels. Preparing for these situations involves staying updated on local weather and water forecasts, maintaining strong safety protocols, and honing your communication skills to ensure all participants feel informed and comfortable. Building a network with other guides and local outfitters can also provide support and access to the latest information about river conditions and best practices.
What is the difference between Freelance River Rafting Guide vs Full-Time River Guide?
| Aspect | Freelance River Rafting Guide | Full-Time River Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Credentials | Basic rafting certifications, first aid | Same certifications, plus employer-specific training |
| Work Environment | Self-employed, variable locations | Employed by a company, fixed or seasonal locations |
| Employment Type | Independent contractor | Employee |
| Work Schedule | Flexible, project-based | Set shifts, seasonal schedules |
Freelance River Rafting Guides operate independently, offering services to multiple clients, while Full-Time River Guides are employed by companies with fixed schedules. Both roles require similar certifications, but freelance guides have more flexibility and varied work environments.
What are the most commonly searched types of River Rafting Guide jobs in Illinois? The most popular types of River Rafting Guide jobs in Illinois are:
What are popular job titles related to Freelance River Rafting Guide jobs in Illinois? For Freelance River Rafting Guide jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Freelance River Rafting Guide jobs in Illinois look for? The top searched job categories for Freelance River Rafting Guide jobs in Illinois are:
What cities in Illinois are hiring for Freelance River Rafting Guide jobs? Cities in Illinois with the most Freelance River Rafting Guide job openings:
Full-time
Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO
Re-posted 15 days ago
Job description
Executive Editor - NEWSWELL Chicago
NEWSWELL Chicago publishes four deeply rooted local news organizations serving Chicago's West Side and near western suburbs: Austin Weekly News, Forest Park Review, Riverside-Brookfield Landmark and Wednesday Journal of Oak Park and River Forest.
In early 2026, NEWSWELL Chicago acquired these storied community newspapers. That transition brought new stability, expanded resources and renewed momentum to a trusted local news operation.
NEWSWELL Chicago seeks an ambitious, community-minded Executive Editor to lead one of the Chicago region's strongest portfolios of local news organizations and help build what comes next.
This leader will oversee editorial strategy and day-to-day newsroom operations across NEWSWELL Chicago's portfolio of trusted local publications, strengthening each title while building a more connected, impactful newsroom. The Executive Editor will be responsible for producing exceptional journalism, growing audience, deepening community engagement and helping shape the next chapter of local news in the communities we serve.
This is a hands-on leadership role for an editor with strong news judgment, excellent editing skills and a genuine belief in the power of community journalism. The Executive Editor will collaborate across teams, coach reporters, guide coverage priorities, edit news copy and serve as a visible ambassador in the communities we cover.
The Executive Editor will also play a meaningful role in audience development, newsletters, digital publishing, fundraising support and expansion initiatives as NEWSWELL Chicago continues to grow.
This is a hybrid position based in Oak Park, IL, combining remote and in-person work. The pay rate for this role is $90-$120k annually.
What you'll do
Relevant qualifications
Required education and experience
Preferred education and experience
Preferred skills and abilities
Submission Requirements
Please put together a single document file that includes the following, in this order:
Benefits
NEWSWELL is an Equal Opportunity Employer
NEWSWELL Chicago publishes four deeply rooted local news organizations serving Chicago's West Side and near western suburbs: Austin Weekly News, Forest Park Review, Riverside-Brookfield Landmark and Wednesday Journal of Oak Park and River Forest.
In early 2026, NEWSWELL Chicago acquired these storied community newspapers. That transition brought new stability, expanded resources and renewed momentum to a trusted local news operation.
NEWSWELL Chicago seeks an ambitious, community-minded Executive Editor to lead one of the Chicago region's strongest portfolios of local news organizations and help build what comes next.
This leader will oversee editorial strategy and day-to-day newsroom operations across NEWSWELL Chicago's portfolio of trusted local publications, strengthening each title while building a more connected, impactful newsroom. The Executive Editor will be responsible for producing exceptional journalism, growing audience, deepening community engagement and helping shape the next chapter of local news in the communities we serve.
This is a hands-on leadership role for an editor with strong news judgment, excellent editing skills and a genuine belief in the power of community journalism. The Executive Editor will collaborate across teams, coach reporters, guide coverage priorities, edit news copy and serve as a visible ambassador in the communities we cover.
The Executive Editor will also play a meaningful role in audience development, newsletters, digital publishing, fundraising support and expansion initiatives as NEWSWELL Chicago continues to grow.
This is a hybrid position based in Oak Park, IL, combining remote and in-person work. The pay rate for this role is $90-$120k annually.
What you'll do
- Lead day-to-day editorial operations across NEWSWELL Chicago's newsroom, setting priorities, managing workflows and maintaining a strong culture of accountability and excellence
- Direct editorial strategy across print, digital, newsletters and emerging platforms
- Assign, shape and edit stories with an emphasis on quality reporting, strong storytelling, fairness and accuracy
- Edit a significant volume of copy while maintaining high editorial standards and efficient production rhythms
- Recruit, manage, coach and develop newsroom talent, including reporters, editors, audience staff, fellows, interns and freelance contributors
- Oversee and collaborate closely with senior editorial and audience leaders, including the senior adviser/associate editor and senior audience manager
- Use analytics, listening and newsroom instinct to guide coverage decisions and better serve community information needs
- Represent NEWSWELL Chicago publicly at events and community gatherings and through partnerships and media appearances
- Collaborate with leadership on fundraising efforts, donor engagement, editorial impact reporting
- Help identify and develop opportunities to expand NEWSWELL Chicago's reach, impact and editorial footprint
- Champion community journalism, strong newsroom values and an ambitious and collaborative culture
- Foster an inclusive, respectful and collaborative newsroom culture that values diversity, encourages belonging, empowers staff and celebrates both individual and team successes.
- Uphold and model NEWSWELL's values of fairness, inclusion, transparency and trust, and promote civil, solutions-minded public discourse through editorial decisions and leadership.
Relevant qualifications
- An experienced editor and newsroom leader with excellent news judgment
- A strong line editor who makes stories sharper, clearer and more impactful
- A thoughtful people manager who knows how to coach, challenge and support talent
- Audience-minded, digitally fluent and comfortable leading across platforms
- Comfortable balancing daily journalism demands with longer-range editorial strategy
- A visible and credible public representative for a newsroom
Required education and experience
- 10+ years of journalism experience, including meaningful newsroom leadership experience
- Strong editing background with demonstrated excellence in story development and copy editing
- Experience managing reporters, editors, freelancers or cross-functional teams
- Strong understanding of digital publishing, newsletters, audience engagement and modern newsroom tools
- Demonstrated commitment to fairness, accuracy, ethics and inclusion in journalism
Preferred education and experience
- Experience working in a newsroom or print publication environment.
- Knowledge of Chicago and its surrounding communities preferred, but not required
- Familiarity with Chicago neighborhoods and community-focused journalism.
Preferred skills and abilities
- Spanish fluency is a plus.
Submission Requirements
Please put together a single document file that includes the following, in this order:
- Your resume (one to two pages).
- A cover letter that highlights your strengths and explains why you make a strong candidate for the position.
- Three to five samples that demonstrate your editorial leadership. These may include project overviews, edited packages, newsroom initiatives, audience or workflow improvements, or other work that reflects your role, decision-making and impact. For each sample, include a one- to two-sentence description of what you did and how you did it.
- Please assemble these materials into a single document and upload them in a PDF format.
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
NEWSWELL is an Equal Opportunity Employer