Managing Editor

About Western Resource Advocates

WRA fights climate change and its impacts to sustain the environment, economy, and people of the West. We respect the different needs of diverse people and partner with them to develop a shared vision for progress—one that advances communities while protecting biodiversity.

Our team of policy experts, scientists, economists, and attorneys has a 30-year history of working where decisions are made, sweating the details, creating evidence-based solutions, and holding decision makers accountable. This on-the-ground-work with policymakers and other advocates advances clean energy, protects air, land, water, and wildlife—and sustains the lives and livelihoods of the West.

Location: This position may work remotely in our seven-state region, in one of our six offices, or a hybrid of the two. Our seven-state region includes Arizona, Colorado, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. WRA has offices located in Boulder, CO; Carson City, NV; Denver, CO; Phoenix, AZ; Salt Lake City, UT; and Santa Fe, NM. Access to a major airport required, as this position involves some travel.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage editorial projects from conception to completion, including brainstorming ideas, research, setting and meeting deadlines, writing content, getting feedback, making revisions, proofreading, and copy editing. 
• Initiate story, content, and publications ideas to help the organization reach its goals. 
• Write key stories, blogs, and articles, as well as outline, proofread, and copyedit reports, quarterly Fields Notes magazines, annual Impact Reports, fact sheets, presentations, other policy and donor materials, and weekly internal e-newsletter (the “Insider”).
• Independently incorporate changes, comments, and critiques from multiple reviewers using exceptional writing and editing skills.
• Conduct interviews with internal stakeholders to gather and craft informative and accurate materials.
• Maintain a clear understanding of WRA’s policy goals, strategies, and key messages, keep up to date on pertinent issues, and articulate this information appropriately and effectively.
• Assist with content and copyediting for social media campaigns, podcast episodes, email marketing, advocacy actions, and donor acquisition campaigns. 
• Identify topics with visual and audio elements to create stories that exploit those qualities for use in videos, podcasts, infographics, slideshows, and other media as appropriate.
• Ensure the standards of excellence are met in editing across all products.
• Continued research, education, and implementation on best practices for accessibility in writing
• Other projects, tasks, and duties reasonably related to the functions described above. 

QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES:

Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience, which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of this position, will be considered.  For example, the requisite experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities would include:

• Exceptional communication skills – written, verbal, interpersonal and presentation skills, including the ability to communicate articulately, persuasively, and effectively with varied audiences.
• Aptitude for translating complicated technical concepts into accessible written and spoken content. 
• At least ten to fifteen years of relevant experience in creating compelling content and developing and implementing communications strategies. 
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills, with excellent attention to detail and follow through.
• Ability to stay nimble and organized while managing multiple projects and competing priorities.
• Demonstrated track record of success in developing persuasive materials.
• Experience researching, analyzing, interpreting, and compiling technical information from divergent sources, and translating that information for different audiences.
• Highly detail-oriented and organized, with superior research, editing, and proofreading skills.
• A strong understanding of the politics and landscape surrounding the issues WRA works on across our seven-state region.
• Ability to work effectively with people of different backgrounds, lived experiences, and communication styles.
• Commitment to integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion principles into our marketing and communication practices and products
• Genuine passion for the mission and work of WRA.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those required by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodation including:

• The work environment is a typical office environment with minimal exposure to excessive noise or adverse environmental issues.
• Prolonged periods of time at a desk and working on a computer.
• Position requires some travel by automobile, airplane, etc.
• TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:
  •  Some occasional travel within WRA’s region will be required for collaboration with WRA staff and stakeholders, including required attendance at WRA retreats and trainings (approximately 20%).

Salary And Benefits

The salary range is $70,000-$95,000 annually; salary depends on relevant experience and new staff rarely start at the top of the range. WRA’s excellent benefits package includes a 401(k)-retirement plan with up to 5% matching and health, dental, vision, and life & disability insurance with 100% of premiums paid by WRA. Annually, staff receive seventeen days paid vacation leave to start, twelve paid sick days, one paid volunteer day, twelve paid holidays, and WRA is closed for Winter Break between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day for additional paid time off. Employees are eligible for up to twelve weeks of parental leave, and after five years, staff are eligible for up to twelve weeks of paid sabbatical leave. Position is full-time exempt.

Deadline To Apply: Open Until Filled with priority review beginning on Monday, October 7, 2024.

Diversity and inclusion are a critical component of our business strategy, mission and vision. We welcome candidates from an array of backgrounds and experiences to join our team. Western Resource Advocates is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, or veteran status.

Apply To Be WRA’s Managing Editor!

Thank you for your interest in the Managing Editor position with Western Resource Advocates. You will need to upload the following in PDF format:

• Cover letter describing your relevant qualifications and the reason for your interest in WRA and this position. Addressed to: Kimberly Bell, Human Resources Manager
• Writing Sample (pdf)
• Resume

Note: Please direct any questions about this position or application process to hiring@westernresources.org.