Political Editor Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Title: LT Editor, Politics & Statewide Coordination (The California Newsroom) Temporary
Schedule Format - Location: Hybrid - San Francisco
Pay Information: $80,000 - $99,875
Position Summary:
An editor at KQED and the California Newsroom is an experienced journalist who is capable of assigning, editing, reporting and coordinating statewide and multiplatform coverage in a manner that connects with audiences. KQED and California Newsroom editors are expected to produce journalism across all platforms, including audio and text, as well as social and other media.
Editors must be proficient at editing and producing all aspects of on-air news elements for broadcast and must be equally proficient at editing text stories and producing other online news content.
Editors are also expected to contribute to news planning, staying atop daily local and national news through multiple sources. This editor must also be capable of working across a number of different organizations, with colleagues of varying experience levels, and complete their work under deadline pressure.
California Newsroom Editor Addendum
The 2026 midterm elections will be pivotal for the state of California and the nation as a whole. The California Newsroom, a collaboration of public radio and nonprofit news outlets in the state spearheaded by KQED, is seeking a temporary editor to oversee and coordinate statewide coverage through November.
This position requires a journalist who is skilled in collaborations and partnerships across multiple newsrooms. This role requires an empathetic and human-centered manager who can work with journalists across the state with differing levels of experience. Key to this role will be working closely with news directors, reporters and editors from multiple outlets to develop a cohesive, multiplatform approach to covering the California gubernatorial race, key Congressional campaigns, statewide propositions and other elections. The coverage will culminate in a statewide live broadcast special.
This editor will work in collaboration with journalists spread across 14 public radio stations, along with the nonprofit news organization CalMatters, to provide coverage of significant issues, assigning and editing daily news and in-depth features and projects. The editor will also be responsible for coordinating California coverage for a national audience as needed by NPR.
While this role is a temporary assignment through November 2026, it could lead to additional opportunities within The California Newsroom and/or KQED. This is a remote position, but the editor must reside in California. This editor will report to the Managing Editor of The California Newsroom.
KQED envisions a public media organization with a culture that centers on human dignity, equity, and belonging. This will enable us to better serve and reflect the Bay Area through diverse and inclusive storytelling.
We value the contributions of marginalized people in society - including Black, Indigenous, and all people of color, people with disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ people - and we believe that these communities must be centered in the work we do, and we strongly encourage members of these communities to apply.
KQED Code of Ethics https://www.kqed.org/about/code-ethics
The mission that drives us:
KQED provide citizens of Northern California with a community-supported alternative to commercial media. We provide citizens 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.
This role will work hybrid between working in KQED's newly renovated headquarters and working remotely.
Essential Functions:

• Coordinates with political editors and other newsroom leaders throughout the state.
• Assesses coverage needs and coordinates joint projects among stations.
• Maintains a running database of assignments and elections planning.
• Oversees California Newsroom employees assigned to elections coverage.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Non-Essential Functions:

• Occasionally fills in for other colleagues.
• Represents KQED at events.

Knowledge/Experience Required:

• At least five years of experience in a similar role in a newsroom or news environment.
• Interest and knowledge in California political news.
• Excellent communication and coordination skills; clear communication with colleagues.
• Excellent news judgment.
• Thorough command of journalistic principles, ethics and standards.
• Ability to meet deadlines and goals while working under pressure.
• Proven collaboration skills, which are essential in working with fellow KQED staffers across departments and with partner organizations.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to stay focused, organized, communicative and proactive while working with a number of journalists and staffers across the organization and dealing with several different editors.
• Ability to stay organized and prioritize tasks when working on multiple projects at once.

Knowledge/Experience Desired:

• Non-English language skills (fluency in Spanish, Mandarin or other widely spoken languages in California).
• Previous work as a political editor or reporter, particularly in California.
• Proven capacity to identify opportunities for stories of high relevance to audiences.

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may be required to perform other related duties as necessary to meet the ongoing needs of this organization.
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