Location: Anywhere in Western Canada (B.C., Alberta, Yukon, Northwest Territories)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Salary: $60,000-$70,000
Type: One-year contract
Deadline: Feb. 11, 2024
Who are we?
The Narwhal is an award-winning online magazine that publishes in-depth and investigative journalism about the natural world in Canada.
Think of us as part newsroom, part non-profit and part startup. As a non-profit, reader-funded news organization, our goal isn’t to sell advertising or to please corporate bigwigs — it’s to bring evidence-based news and analysis to the surface for all Canadians. We’re leading a revolution in public-interest journalism that is reinvigorating the relationship between readers and the journalists who work on their behalf — and we want you to join us.
The storytellers in any society hold tremendous power. At The Narwhal, we recognize that this power represents both a privilege and a responsibility and we aim to use this power for the public good. The Narwhal is working to build an inclusive and equitable team that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage applications from communities traditionally underrepresented in this field.
About the gig
Since 2018, The Narwhal has grown rapidly, becoming a home for award-winning, context-rich journalism about the natural world. We are searching for an assistant editor who is keen to jump in and help get things done. If you identify as a word nerd who loves copy-editing and story layout and is excited to make our journalism shine, we want to work with you.
The ideal candidate will be passionate about the power of journalism to bridge divides, tapped into what’s happening in the environmental world and motivated to help out wherever it’s needed.
You’ll join a team of top-notch journalists from across the country and report to the Senior Editor.
Responsibilities
- Copy edit articles and other copy, sometimes with tight deadlines
- Assist with maintaining The Narwhal’s house style guide
- Fact check articles and other copy
- Source images
- Assist with story layout
- Assist with the production of newsletters
- Write, create and publish content on social media
- Generally contribute to the rollout of content, including outreach to promote content with stakeholders
- Respond to messages from readers
- Assist with maintaining image library
- Contribute to structural edits, as needed
Qualifications
- Minimum of three years of professional editing experience
- Copy editing experience
- Excellent attention to detail
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Demonstrated ability to work in a deadline-driven environment and juggle multiple tasks
- Experience with WordPress and Google Analytics
- Strong knowledge of CP Style
- Comfortable laying out stories and sharing them on social media
- An understanding of trauma-informed journalism
- Familiarity with solutions journalism and a commitment to complicating the narrative
- Familiarity with The Narwhal
What we offer
- Group health, vision and dental benefits after three months and a health spending account
- Professional development opportunities
- A flexible workplace with a vibrant, collaborative culture
- Work from home stipend or opportunity to work from a shared office
- Four weeks’ vacation and annual holiday closure
- 10 personal days per year
Please don’t be discouraged from applying if you do not possess the precise combination of all of the skills, attributes, qualifications and experience listed above.
To apply, please submit a cover letter and résumé by Feb. 11, at the latest, via this link. Please include your full name in the file name of any attachments you submit. In your cover letter please tell us why specifically you want to work at The Narwhal and what from your previous experience makes you a good fit for this role.
Applicants must be eligible to work in Canada. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted further.
What to expect
- Selected candidates will be invited to a first-round interview by the end of February. Following that, there will likely be a paid assignment and selected candidates will be invited to a second and possibly third interview
- Candidates will meet a mix of team members during the interview process
- The hiring committee will consist of three interviewers in each session
- All interviews will be conducted online via Zoom
- The start date for this position is April 15 at the latest and the successful candidate must be available for an in-person retreat the week of May 6
The Narwhal is working to build an inclusive and equitable team that reflects the communities we serve. People who identify as being from marginalized communities, including Indigenous Peoples, racialized people, people with disabilities, people identifying as 2SLGBTQ+, and people from low-income backgrounds are especially encouraged to apply. Disability-related accommodations are available for candidates taking part in our hiring process. We will ask candidates selected for an interview about any accessibility needs ahead of the scheduled interview.
Lead image: Rick Collins / The Narwhal
