Editor

Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We take on the biggest, most precedent-setting cases across the country. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health; to preserve magnificent places and wildlife; to advance clean energy; and to combat climate change. We partner with thousands of groups, individuals, and communities to engage the critical environmental issues of our time and bring about positive change. We are guided by a passionate, ambitious vision for the future for people and our planet: until justice stands for all, we will never rest. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer. 

Founded in 1971, Earthjustice has a distinguished track record of achieving significant, lasting environmental protections. We achieve this by hiring people who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment. Our headquarters are in San Francisco with offices in Anchorage, Juneau, Los Angeles, Chicago, Tallahassee, Honolulu, Houston, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, Denver, Seattle, Bozeman, Miami and Washington, D.C.

This position is responsible for editing content produced primarily by the Communications department staff and contractors, including a quarterly print magazine, blog, online features, and email newsletters. The role will also include some writing opportunities.

This position can be based in Seattle, WA, San Francisco, CA, Los Angeles, CA, Washington, DC, or New York City, NY. Candidates may work remotely from these locations due to office space availability.

Responsibilities

Editing (85%)

• Serve as lead editor for Earthjustice’s digital storytelling. Specific duties include: approving pitches in conjunction with the managing editor; shaping ideas with writers before they file; editing of blog posts for message clarity, tone, and style based on the target audience and strategic goals; ensuring articles make a connection to Earthjustice’s big picture goals; editing headlines and captions; and publishing the post to the web through our publishing system software and HTML. The role requires significant autonomous decision-making: frequently, this person serves as the sole editor on articles and, during periods when the managing editor is away or occupied, can decide alone whether to take or decline blog pitches.
• Significant editing responsibilities with the Earthjustice Quarterly Magazine. Duties may include: leading the magazine fact-checking process, editing magazine articles; editing captions, credits, table of contents and cover text; working with the online team to adapt and publish print articles to the web; and other duties as needed.
• Manage Earthjustice’s fact-checking program, which includes developing training materials; recruiting and training freelance and in-house fact-checkers; managing fact-checking workflow; verifying all final fact-checked content.
• Coordinate across teams to ensure timely gathering of assets like photos and promotion on our main channels.
• Surface trends in digital traffic data and draw lessons for the Communications department over what written content is particularly effective on our various channels.
• Lead Editorial’s rapid response efforts by preparing for expected news moments and ensuring quick execution when news breaks. This could involve writing or editing updates to existing content or repurposing press release text for a general audience.
• Assist the managing editor in implementing the department’s overall content strategy and participate in brainstorms with the Communications team on the most effective ways to tell particular stories.
• Serve as editorial lead on various department-wide content projects.
• Shape social media promotion text with the social media team for content written by those outside the Editorial team.
• Work with senior level attorneys, program staff, digital staff, and the managing editor in updating and editing content on Earthjustice’s website, including online explainers, features, action alerts, and donor emails.
• Actively contribute to editorial meetings and content postmortems, as well as trainings on editorial-related topics.
• Ensure that publications adhere to Earthjustice’s editorial style guide. Recommend changes to guide when necessary and implement updates when approved. Perform administrative duties, such as web publishing and workflow updating as needed.
• Occasionally edit press releases, opinion pieces, reports, emails, and action alerts destined for external publications.

Writing (15%)

• Serve as contributor to Earthjustice’s print and digital publications, such as the magazine and website. The focus will be on time-sensitive digital content, but there also will be occasional opportunities to write for the magazine.

Qualifications

• BA, preferably in Communications, Journalism, English or related field.
• Five plus years of professional experience in online or print content production desired; background and/or interest in environmental or social justice issues a plus.
• Critical thinker, highly competent at understanding, distilling, and effectively communicating complex issues to a lay audience.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the confidence to interact effectively with all levels of management and staff. Must be able to considerately explain edits and gracefully receive feedback.
• Excellent writer and editor with strong copy- and line-editing skills and broad knowledge of AP style.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and manage multiple writing assignments and move expeditiously to meet publication deadlines with minimal supervisory oversight.
• Create engaging headlines, apt phrases, and memorable storytelling.
• Strong collaborator, able to pitch ideas and provide regular project updates to cross-functional peers.
• Proven willingness to seek appropriate direction and guidance from supervisors when needed. Experience with Microsoft Office, such as Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• HTML skills.
• Demonstrates an awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds and orientations.
• Contributes to the creation of a diverse, equitable and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences.

We offer a mission- and employee-focused work environment and a competitive compensation package, including excellent benefits. Earthjustice is an equal opportunity employer and highly values diversity.

Compensation is based on experience and location. 

Salary range in San Francisco, CA or New York City, NY: $78,600 - $87,300

Salary range in Seattle, WA, Washington, DC, or Los Angeles, CA: $74,700 - $83,000

*Remote: $66,900 - $87,300

*Salaries in remote cities may vary. Applicants should indicate in their application the city and state from which they will be working to confirm the precise salary range of that location.

To Apply

Interested applicants should submit the following via Jobvite:

• Resume
• Cover letter

Please reach out to jobs@earthjustice.org if you are having technical difficulties submitting your application. No phone calls, drop-ins, or hard copies.

Earthjustice is driven by a passion for justice, partnership and excellence. Our core values lead us to seek a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds to achieve our mission and to maintain an inclusive environment where all staff are valued and respected. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to employment practices that ensure that employees and applicants for employment are given equal opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information or any other factor that is not related to the position.

For positions located within the City and County of San Francisco: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

For positions located within the City of Los Angeles: We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.