CatchLight Local Visual Desk Editor, part-time

CatchLight is a visual-first media organization. At CatchLight, we believe in the power of images to inform, transform and connect communities. We act as a catalyst, connecting visual storytellers, communities and media organizations to represent and bring about solutions to urgent social issues. We support emerging talents and leaders in visual storytelling to meaningfully engage audiences and push innovation in the field. 

CatchLight is in an exciting period of growth – join us as we expand our groundbreaking model for local visual journalism. 

We have an immediate opening for a part-time visual editor to join our CatchLight Local Visual Desk, working with our member newsrooms in Philadelphia and Cleveland. We estimate this position will work 20-30 hours per month, which includes 10 hours per month with each newsroom, plus regular meetings with the CatchLight Local team.

We are also accepting applications on a rolling basis for additional part-time visual editors to help guide our member newsrooms to produce impactful visual storytelling while improving representation throughout their communities.

Job summary:

Launched in 2019, the CatchLight Local Visual Desk is a shared visual journalism initiative to bring storytelling and engagement services to local newsrooms around the U.S. This “picture-desk-as-a-service” model seeks to revitalize visual journalism at the local level by connecting powerful visual journalists and editors directly with newsrooms and community members. 

Newsroom members receive support services from CatchLight including visual editing, story development, visual production, engagement strategy, training, tools and shared learning opportunities.

In this role, you will:

  • Provide multiplatform visual editing and editorial coordination for short and long-form assignments to assigned member newsrooms.
  • Deliver weekly visual editing and strategy guidance, including attending editorial meetings and regular meetings with newsroom staff.
  • Curate, review, and tag images in newsrooms' digital asset management systems.
  • Serve as primary point of contact for communication around services, trainings, and workshops to assigned member newsrooms.
  • Coordinate access to specialist support in areas including video and social media for member newsrooms.
  • Track the impact of visual work at assigned newsrooms and assist with visual award submissions.
  • Meet regularly with the CatchLight Local team to improve services, consult on growth strategy, and advance the mission of revitalizing photojournalism in local newsrooms.
  • Provide top-notch customer service and open communication between CatchLight, newsroom members and fellows.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

We are a woman-led organization that seeks to give opportunities to applicants from diverse and historically marginalized backgrounds with intentionality. We actively seek and encourage applicants from across all walks of life who have expertise and a proven track record in most of the areas below:

  • 5+ years of experience in visual editing in a newsroom or news-based environment and/or local journalism.
  • 3+ years of experience in project management and successfully managing workflows and delivering client services.
  • Strong understanding of visual editing and production workflows, particularly in a local newsroom context, with solid knowledge of visual journalism standards and ethics.
  • Fluency in digital asset management systems, WordPress (with emphasis on Newspack CMS), and various CMS publishing tools.
  • Passion for and understanding of visual culture and the local media landscape, with excitement to coach and mentor early-career photographers and other newsroom staff.
  • Collaborative and cooperative work ethic with excellent interpersonal skills and a "can-do" attitude; able to positively engage the entire team on complex projects while promoting an open and supportive workplace culture.
  • Self-starter who works well independently in a remote team environment, takes initiative, prioritizes tasks, and thrives in fast-paced settings with small teams.
  • Proactive, solutions-oriented, and flexible approach; excited to work for a dynamic, iterative program providing educational and proactive support to newsrooms.

Key Criteria For Consideration

In addition to the above skill sets we are looking for excellence in the following areas. Candidates will be reviewed based on the following:

  • Creativity: You are a net positive force of creative capital. Your engagement not only enhances the organizational performance, it enhances the creative capacities of the entire team. You bring ideas to the team.
  • Character: You operate at the highest executive function in your personal organization, your communications style, and your integrity. You bring follow through, resourcefulness, and coordination to the team.
  • Culture: You add positively to the social focus, the energy and the engagement of those around you. You bring warmth, generosity of spirit, excitement and respect.

Additional consideration will be given to qualified candidates that are:

  • Based in Philadelphia, Cleveland or the location of a current CatchLight member newsroom (CatchLight employees must reside in the U.S.)
  • Spanish speaker a plus

Travel requirements

The person in this role will be expected to make occasional in-person visits to their assigned member newsrooms, and be invited to participate in CatchLight events.  

Position details:

  • Part-time/non-exempt
  • Remote work
  • This position reports to the CatchLight Local Program Director. 
  • Target start date: March 2026
  • Compensation: $75 per hour

Deadline

First review deadline March 1. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. 

This is a part-time, 20-30 hours a month position and is grant-financed. CatchLight is an equal opportunity employer that embraces an equitable, diverse, and inclusive work environment. CatchLight is a growing organization that values growth and learning. 

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