Pay Growth
?
out of 5
Not enough data
Not enough info to score pay or growth
Contract news editor
Job
Albany Scanner
Albany, CA (In Person)
$60,000 Salary, Full-Time
Review key factors to help you decide if the role fits your goals.
Job Security
?
out of 5
Not enough data
Calculating job security score...
Total Score
71
out of 100
Average of individual scores
Skill Insights
Compare your current skills to what this opportunity needs—we'll show you what you already have and what could strengthen your application.
Job Description
Albany Scanner is hiring a contract news editor/reporter.
About Albany ScannerAlbany Scanner is a new, community-funded news site focused on Albany, California, which has been without dedicated local journalism for too long. Our mission is to provide thoughtful, comprehensive coverage of community life, including politics, schools, public safety, housing, culture and the environment.
Founded by Emilie Raguso (The Berkeley Scanner, Albany Patch, Berkeleyside) and supported by the all-volunteer Albany News Project, Albany Scanner has raised more than $65,000 from the community to make this launch possible. With 280 paying members and counting, we are now hiring our first contract editor to bring engaging, timely news coverage back to Albany.
This contract position is a ground-floor opportunity to shape the editorial voice and news agenda of a community-supported outlet with a demonstrated, dedicated audience.
Role overviewAlbany Scanner is seeking a self-employed editorial professional with significant experience to provide independent journalistic services on a project or deliverable basis during the site's early-stage development. You will independently source, report, write, photograph and publish original news coverage about Albany, while also editing periodic community contributions and producing a simple weekly newsletter.
This is an independent contractor position. The contractor will set their own schedule but is generally expected to publish on at least four of the five weekdays and attend public meetings and events as needed.
Key deliverablesContent production (4-7 items per week)Report and write 4-7 original news items per week, including:
News briefs (approx. 250-350 words)Short news stories (400-750 words)At least one longer profile or news feature (800-1,500 words)Content types include breaking news, meeting advances, profile pieces, photo galleries and community follow-upsAll stories must be well-researched, accurate, original and written in AP StyleEdit your own work and up to 2 community submissions per weekNewsletter and alertsProduce the "Albany Today" email newsletter 1-2 times per week, including a brief intro for readers and links to new and recent storiesSend infrequent breaking news email alerts as neededEvent and meeting coverageRegularly attend Albany City Council meetings, school board meetings and other key public events (1-3 per week) as relevant to current storiesAlert the publisher when additional reporting resources are neededPhotographyTake original, high-resolution photographs for stories or source from subjects, community partners, or Creative Commons/stock repositories (e.g. Unsplash)Provide 1-3 usable photos per story (more for longer pieces)Follow AP Style best practices for photo captions and creditsSocial mediaCreate social media posts to promote stories and engage the Albany community on Instagram, Reddit, X (Twitter), Facebook and BlueskyEditorial coordinationParticipate in weekly editorial call with the publisherSeek editorial guidance on complex or potentially controversial stories before publicationPublish breaking news within 2 hours when possible; alert publisher promptly if unavailableQualificationsRequiredDemonstrated experience in local news reporting and editingStrong news judgment and ability to independently identify and develop story ideasExcellent writing, editing and fact-checking skillsProficiency with AP StyleAbility to attend evening public meetings and community eventsStrong photography skills and access to a camera or high-quality smartphoneComfortable working independently and managing a weekly production scheduleFamiliarity with email newsletter platforms and social mediaPreferredExperience covering local government, schools and community affairs in the East BayExisting relationships with Albany community sourcesExperience with Ghost CMS or similar publishing platformsExperience with community-supported journalismAI PolicyAlbany Scanner supports the responsible use of AI tools to help journalists work more efficiently.
AI may be used for transcription, research or light language editingAll facts must be verified independently of AISensitive or confidential source information must never be shared with AI toolsAll stories must feature original, human-sourced reportingAI is a tool to help you do your job better — not perform the essential work of journalism.
Work product and rightsAll content produced under this contract — including articles, photographs, newsletters and social media posts — is work made for hire and the sole property of Albany Scanner. Contractors retain the right to reference their work for portfolio purposes but may not republish or redistribute content without prior written consent.
All work must be created and managed through the Scanner's Ghost and Google Workspace platforms and tools assigned by Albany Scanner.
CompensationCompensation is negotiated based on experience and structured as a flat monthly fee ($4,000-$6,000), as agreed upon in the Statement of Work. Payment is issued monthly upon receipt of an itemized invoice submitted by the 10th of each month.
How to applyTo apply, please send the following to Emilie Raguso, Albany Scanner publisher:
A cover letter describing your interest in the role and connection to AlbanyLinks to 3-5 recent clips that demonstrate your local news reportingYour resume or CVYour availability and rate expectationsSend materials to: jobs@albanyscanner.com with the subject line "Editor/Reporter Application."Albany Scanner is committed to building a newsroom that reflects the diversity of the Albany community. We strongly encourage applications from journalists of all backgrounds.
About Albany ScannerAlbany Scanner is a new, community-funded news site focused on Albany, California, which has been without dedicated local journalism for too long. Our mission is to provide thoughtful, comprehensive coverage of community life, including politics, schools, public safety, housing, culture and the environment.
Founded by Emilie Raguso (The Berkeley Scanner, Albany Patch, Berkeleyside) and supported by the all-volunteer Albany News Project, Albany Scanner has raised more than $65,000 from the community to make this launch possible. With 280 paying members and counting, we are now hiring our first contract editor to bring engaging, timely news coverage back to Albany.
This contract position is a ground-floor opportunity to shape the editorial voice and news agenda of a community-supported outlet with a demonstrated, dedicated audience.
Role overviewAlbany Scanner is seeking a self-employed editorial professional with significant experience to provide independent journalistic services on a project or deliverable basis during the site's early-stage development. You will independently source, report, write, photograph and publish original news coverage about Albany, while also editing periodic community contributions and producing a simple weekly newsletter.
This is an independent contractor position. The contractor will set their own schedule but is generally expected to publish on at least four of the five weekdays and attend public meetings and events as needed.
Key deliverablesContent production (4-7 items per week)Report and write 4-7 original news items per week, including:
News briefs (approx. 250-350 words)Short news stories (400-750 words)At least one longer profile or news feature (800-1,500 words)Content types include breaking news, meeting advances, profile pieces, photo galleries and community follow-upsAll stories must be well-researched, accurate, original and written in AP StyleEdit your own work and up to 2 community submissions per weekNewsletter and alertsProduce the "Albany Today" email newsletter 1-2 times per week, including a brief intro for readers and links to new and recent storiesSend infrequent breaking news email alerts as neededEvent and meeting coverageRegularly attend Albany City Council meetings, school board meetings and other key public events (1-3 per week) as relevant to current storiesAlert the publisher when additional reporting resources are neededPhotographyTake original, high-resolution photographs for stories or source from subjects, community partners, or Creative Commons/stock repositories (e.g. Unsplash)Provide 1-3 usable photos per story (more for longer pieces)Follow AP Style best practices for photo captions and creditsSocial mediaCreate social media posts to promote stories and engage the Albany community on Instagram, Reddit, X (Twitter), Facebook and BlueskyEditorial coordinationParticipate in weekly editorial call with the publisherSeek editorial guidance on complex or potentially controversial stories before publicationPublish breaking news within 2 hours when possible; alert publisher promptly if unavailableQualificationsRequiredDemonstrated experience in local news reporting and editingStrong news judgment and ability to independently identify and develop story ideasExcellent writing, editing and fact-checking skillsProficiency with AP StyleAbility to attend evening public meetings and community eventsStrong photography skills and access to a camera or high-quality smartphoneComfortable working independently and managing a weekly production scheduleFamiliarity with email newsletter platforms and social mediaPreferredExperience covering local government, schools and community affairs in the East BayExisting relationships with Albany community sourcesExperience with Ghost CMS or similar publishing platformsExperience with community-supported journalismAI PolicyAlbany Scanner supports the responsible use of AI tools to help journalists work more efficiently.
AI may be used for transcription, research or light language editingAll facts must be verified independently of AISensitive or confidential source information must never be shared with AI toolsAll stories must feature original, human-sourced reportingAI is a tool to help you do your job better — not perform the essential work of journalism.
Work product and rightsAll content produced under this contract — including articles, photographs, newsletters and social media posts — is work made for hire and the sole property of Albany Scanner. Contractors retain the right to reference their work for portfolio purposes but may not republish or redistribute content without prior written consent.
All work must be created and managed through the Scanner's Ghost and Google Workspace platforms and tools assigned by Albany Scanner.
CompensationCompensation is negotiated based on experience and structured as a flat monthly fee ($4,000-$6,000), as agreed upon in the Statement of Work. Payment is issued monthly upon receipt of an itemized invoice submitted by the 10th of each month.
How to applyTo apply, please send the following to Emilie Raguso, Albany Scanner publisher:
A cover letter describing your interest in the role and connection to AlbanyLinks to 3-5 recent clips that demonstrate your local news reportingYour resume or CVYour availability and rate expectationsSend materials to: jobs@albanyscanner.com with the subject line "Editor/Reporter Application."Albany Scanner is committed to building a newsroom that reflects the diversity of the Albany community. We strongly encourage applications from journalists of all backgrounds.