Join us and help make a difference in Hawaiʻi!

Civil Beat is an award-winning digital news nonprofit dedicated to accountability journalism in Hawaiʻi, and we believe that journalism can and should make a difference. That a vibrant news organization is vital to democracy. That we can improve the lives of people and inform public policy through solid, smart coverage.

We pay competitive salaries and offer a benefits package for full-time employees that includes:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with 100% healthcare premium coverage for employees and 75% coverage for dependents
• Fully vested 6% 401(k) match after 90 days of employment
• Six weeks PTO per anniversary year
• Twelve weeks fully paid parental leave
• Company-funded conference travel and training opportunities

Deputy Editor

Honolulu Civil Beat is looking for an experienced editor who can help take a small staff of smart, passionate reporters to the next level. We believe that journalism can and should drive change and that a vibrant news organization is vital to democracy.

We are seeking a veteran journalist who is a mentor and motivator as well as a collaborator, eager to pitch in on quick-turn dailies while juggling longer-term enterprise work. This editor would oversee their own group of reporters and contribute as a member of the leadership team to the strategic direction of our growing online-only media operation.

The ideal candidate is a great journalist who has demonstrated success as an investigative and watchdog reporter and/or editor, who also embraces accountability and public affairs enterprise. We are particularly interested in candidates with deep curiosity about Hawaiʻi and preference will be given to those with roots here or in the broader Pacific region.

We’re willing to consider great candidates who may not have every skill on our ideal checklist. But you must have a clear idea of what you want to do with the wide-open opportunities that Civil Beat offers journalists who are serious about making a difference.

Location

This position is based in Hawaiʻi and preference will be given to candidates with local roots.

Salary

The final salary offer for this position will depend on experience and qualifications. The anticipated salary range for this role is between $110,000 – $130,000.

How To Apply

If you are ready to embrace the energy, excitement and demands of a 15-year-old nonprofit newsroom covering Hawaiʻi and its diverse population, then send a resume and cover letter to apply@civilbeat.org. Job is open now and application will be accepted until it is filled.

Senior Photographer/Photo Editor

Civil Beat is seeking a visual storyteller who is passionate about the power of local journalism and ready to help shape how our stories resonate across all digital platforms. This person will split their time between photo editing and photography – assigning and shooting high-impact images that communicate the vast diversity of our islands. The ideal candidate combines sharp news judgement, top organizational skills and an eagerness to be a creative partner in determining how best to illustrate often complex stories. This role requires close collaboration with reporters, editors and visual journalists both in and outside the newsroom to ensure our visual report is timely, accurate and engaging. Interest in shooting and editing short-form video for web and social media is a must, commercial drone license (or willingness to obtain one) a plus.

What Drives You

• You are passionate about visual storytelling and its power to shape how audiences experience the news.
• You are flexible and enjoy collaborating with other photographers, journalists and audience specialists.
• You strive to keep on top of new formats and platforms for visual storytelling.
• You pride yourself on producing work that is both visually compelling and journalistically rigorous.

Your Duties

• Organize and assign photography on staff and to freelancers across the islands, working closely with reporters, editors, design and audience teams
• Coach reporters to improve their visual eye both to assign photos/videos and to shoot them
• Develop creative visual storytelling approaches that take advantage of all publishing platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube
• Pitch, write and edit visual-first stories
• Maintain Civil Beat photo archives and coordinate visual requests from outside organizations

Your Skills

• A track record of initiating, guiding and produce complex visual reports across a range of formats and platforms
• A strong eye for photography and the ability to work effectively with other photographers and journalists around the newsroom
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, with strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Track record of writing concise, accurate cutlines and copy for photo presentations
• Comfort working quickly and toggling between breaking news and longer-term enterprise
• Experience with visual storytelling that integrates photography, video, graphics, text and audio
• Proficiency with photo and video editing software as well as content management systems
• Strong editorial judgement and evidence of coordinating well with editors on all vetting, copyright, legal and ethical questions related to photography and photo access issues
• FAA Part 107 drone certification is a plus

Salary

The salary range for this position is $110,000–$120,000. The actual starting salary within this range will depend on individual skills, experience and qualifications.

How To Apply

Interested candidates should send a resume and a cover letter to apply@civilbeat.org with a link to a portfolio of their visual work. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled, but those received by August 10 will receive priority.

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Honolulu Civil Beat is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to build a newsroom that reflects the diversity and lived experience of people in Hawaiʻi.
We encourage people from all communities to apply.

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