Job Description

Summary/Objective

Editorial assistant and events listings writer for the Mercury News and East Bay Times. This is an entry level position that requires at least two years of college, writing ability, digital fluency and strong soft skills, including communication, organization, problem solving, flexibility, adaptability and professionalism. This is a public-facing position – remote for now, in person when the newsrooms reopen – and customer service skills, including patience, good humor and the ability to calm readers and make them feel heard, are critical.

Essential Functions

Tasks:

• Answer phones and assist readers for newsrooms.
• Office management, including ordering supplies, opening and redirecting mail,

• Upload, format and post features wire content, including puzzles, horoscopes and a food column; fill in as needed on advice column uploads
• Curate the semi-automated Coffee Break newsletter, which goes out five days per week; provide vacation backup for the semi-automated Flora+Fauna newsletter, which goes out twice per week.
• Event listings: Write themed events listings, such as our Fourth of July events listings, Easter brunches and wine festivals. This requires the ability to write clear, concise, grammatical copy, i.e., core writing skills.

• Editorial assistance with, for example, election coverage – setting up appointments for candidate interviews and photos for OpEd, or other projects for other departments.

Competencies & Skills

• Must be able to meet tight deadlines
• Self-starter and highly organized
• Good communication skills - Ability to speak with readers by phone and email
• Knowledge of AP style

Supervisory Responsibility

• N/A
  

Travel

• 0%

Required Education

• High School degree

Preferred Education

• Some college

Required Experience

• No previous experience

Required Applications / Platform Knowledge / Software etc.

• Google Suite

Work Environment

• This job operates in a professional office environment and at the Company and client sites for business meetings and presentations. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.
• This position may be a permanent remote role.

Physical Demands

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms and requires the ability to occasionally lift office products and supplies up to 30 pounds.

Other Duties

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.