Gannett | USA TODAY NETWORK is hiring: Local News Editor in Salem

Join to apply for the Local News Editor role at USA TODAY Co., Inc.

USA TODAY NETWORK is a diversified media company dedicated to empowering and enriching communities across the United States and the United Kingdom. The Statesman Journal, a leading news organization in Salem, Oregon, is seeking an energetic editor to lead breaking news, public safety coverage, and service journalism across the region.

Responsibilities

• Leading the coverage of breaking, trending, and public safety news, while managing a team of reporters.
• Developing and overseeing service journalism that delivers timely, useful information to diverse audiences.
• Driving innovative storytelling in all formats—written, video, audio, and graphics—to enhance multimedia engagement.
• Coaching and consulting with journalists to elevate coverage quality and responsiveness.
• Identifying and fulfilling training needs to support a dynamic, multimedia‑focused newsroom.
• Supervising simultaneous production of print and digital news products with emphasis on immediacy and relevance.
• Collaborating with editors across the USA TODAY Network on best practices and regional multi‑site initiatives.
• Working evenings and weekends to ensure round‑the‑clock coverage of critical news developments.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in communications, journalism, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum 5 years of journalism experience, with at least 2 years in newsroom editing and leadership roles.
• Command of media law, libel law, open records law, and ethical standards.
• Strong planning and organizational skills, and a proven ability to lead teams in delivering urgent, high‑impact news coverage.
• Expertise in managing multiple tasks and balancing daily news demands with long‑term strategic audience growth.
• Ability to make complex stories accessible, with a keen sense for identifying and communicating urgent local issues.
• Experience in harnessing public records and data to inform coverage and answer community questions.
• Advanced storytelling skills with emphasis on multimedia engagement.
• Expert knowledge of audience metrics, social media, and SEO principles for maximizing reach and engagement.
• Self‑motivation and ability to adapt to the evolving needs of a modern newsroom.
• Mastery of writing, spelling, grammar, AP and local style.
• Able to multitask and excel under the pressures of rapid, deadline‑driven coverage.
• Understanding of the changing media landscape and a strategic approach to audience and market needs.
• Strong competitive instincts, intellectual curiosity, and commitment to public service journalism.
• Ability to manage and motivate a high‑performing newsroom team.
• Knowledge of Salem and Oregon communities is a plus.

Application Instructions

When applying, please provide the following items in a single PDF document:

• Your resume – one to two pages.
• A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job and contribute to leading breaking, trending, and service journalism in Salem and Oregon.
• Links to 3‑6 online samples of your work, highlighting your experience with multimedia and public safety coverage.
• Names and contact information for 2 references, including at least one person who has supervised your work.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Gannett Co., Inc. is a proud equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a diverse workforce. We consider all qualified applicants for employment and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, citizenship status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, marital status, disability, or any other classification protected by applicable law.