The Trace seeks an editorial assistant to support and collaborate with editors and reporters and tend to our growing nonprofit newsroom. Our team produces impact-focused independent journalism that shines a light on America’s gun violence crisis. While our newsroom is distributed around the United States, this particular role is hybrid, requiring in-person work at our Brooklyn, New York, office. The role is ideal for someone in the early years of their career who is passionate about journalism and is hungry to learn about how it works.

Core responsibilities

  • Maintains systems to help the editorial team stay organized, under the direction of the Managing Editor and EIC.
  • Supports editors and reporters with administrative tasks, such as planning travel, scheduling internal or external meetings, or obtaining public records requiring extra steps.
  • Generates, sends, and logs contracts for editorial freelancers, tagging contracts to coverage subjects and locations with restricted grant funding, when relevant.
  • Works out of the Brooklyn office two to three days a week and helps with office tasks for the editorial department, such as setting up the technology for hybrid meetings ordering/picking up food, making reservations for offsite team events, etc.
  • Under the direction of the engagement editor, does some of the day-to-day work of posting on social media, including Instagram, Threads, X, LinkedIn, and Facebook and helps with other engagement tasks. Will be less than 30 percent of the job.
  • Under direction of the digital editor, tracks award deadlines and helps the editors to select submissions. Collect the appropriate materials and sign offs from editors, writers, and media partners before submitting award entries.
  • Assists the Managing Editor, Executive Editor, and EIC with short-term and mid-term projects such as tracking freelance spending and creating reports on staffers’ impact, or providing key newsroom information to the Operations and Development teams. For instance, a list of awards won in 2020 and 2021, or an update on bigger stories scheduled over the next two months.
  • Picks up mail for editorial and operations teams at the office and at a local P.O. box.
  • As time allows, assists with reporting, research, and project management, contributing newsletter items, and fact checking stories.  
  • Understands the heart of this job will be to support and collaborate with editors and reporters and tend to the newsroom. The role is ideal for someone who’s passionate about journalism and is hungry to learn about how it works.

The ideal candidate is someone with:

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Minimum of 2-3 years professional experience
  • A comfort and facility with technology and standard office and social media programs and apps
  • Enthusiasm about public interest journalism

Compensation and benefits

Salary will vary depending on the candidate, but the general range is approximately $60,000 – 65,000. This full-time position includes no-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance; 12 weeks of fully paid family leave; a 401(k) with employer matching; four weeks of vacation time, plus 10 sick days and a holiday week in December; several holidays; and professional development resources such as funding to attend conferences.

This position will be based in our Brooklyn office, but we also have team members in Washington, D.C., Chicago, Los Angeles, and elsewhere.

At The Trace, we are committed to producing journalism that is equitable and inclusive. We welcome applications from journalists of all experience levels and strongly encourage applications from people of color, women, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ people. 

We know that all of the attributes and interests listed here won’t apply to all candidates. If you think you’d be a great fit and have skills and qualifications not mentioned in this listing, we encourage you to submit an application and tell us why you’d thrive in this role.

To apply

Fill out the application form here. In lieu of a cover letter, we ask that you answer a few questions about your experience and goals as well as submit your resume.

DEADLINE: We will accept applications through Monday, February 26. We may begin reviewing applications sooner, however, and will reach out to you directly if we like your application.

QUESTIONS? Email us at [email protected] with questions. Please do not reach out to check on the status of your application before we have contacted you; we will do our best to respond to candidates in a timely manner.

Team Trace