Editor-Writer, Social Work Advocates

NASW (National Association of Social Workers); Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

NASW (National Association of Social Workers) in Washington, DC seeks an experienced editor to lead editorial tasks for Social Work Advocates, planning content, coordinating with staff and freelancers, and ensuring timely publication.

The role requires five years of magazine writing/editing experience, strong AP-style knowledge, and versatile skills in reporting, photography, and social media.

Qualifications

• Requires strong writing, editing, communication, interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Must be able to meet deadlines; ability to take photos required and create video content a plus.
• Bachelor’s degree in journalism or English; knowledge of grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
• Experience writing for social media platforms; magazine experience and AP style is a plus.
• Experience with Word and familiarity with meeting platforms; Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Teams and Zoom are a plus.
• Requires at least five years of prior related work experience in addition to the educational requirement.

Responsibilities

• Write short-form and long-form articles, interview sources, research topics, and apply news judgment.
• Prepare and submit a content plan for each issue and participate in editorial meetings.
• Research issues important to NASW members and write editorial copy for Social Work Advocates’ products.
• Cover events, online and in-person, such as NASW meetings and conferences.
• Take photographs and assist with selecting photographs for NASW products.
• Assist with gathering resources, editing freelance submissions, and writing content for social media.
• Proofread, caption and headline writing, and review print proofs as needed.
• Explain editorial policies to NASW members and staff; triage emails as needed.
• Occasional travel may be required.

Skills

Writing

Editing

Communication

Interpersonal

Organization

Photography

Video content

Education

Bachelor's degree in journalism / English

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

SharePoint

Teams

Zoom

Job description

I. MAJOR FUNCTION:

Perform editorial tasks involved in the planning, publication and promotion of Social Work Advocates magazine, and dissemination of content online. Work activities are performed under general supervision.

II. BASIC DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Must be able to write short-form and long-form articles, use interview techniques to quote sources, research topics, and exercise good news judgment. Keep abreast of trends, news, action items (policy, research, regulation) impacting social workers and their clients.
• Prepare and submit a proposed content plan for each issue of Social Work Advocates for approval. Content plan will be used for discussion during the quarterly editorial meeting. Participate in editorial meetings with managing editor, and various NASW staff and leaders. Be prepared to discuss proposed topics, incorporate feedback from the editorial group, and update the content plan accordingly.
• Research and investigate issues important to NASW members and the social work community. Conceive story ideas and write editorial copy for Social Work Advocates’ products.
• Cover events, online and in-person, such as NASW meetings and events, professional conferences and congressional briefings, as approved.
• Take photographs and assist with the selection of photographs for Social Work Advocates’ products.
• Assist with gathering resources and providing guidelines for freelance writers. Edit and rewrite material submitted by freelance writers, as needed.
• Compile and write Social Work Advocates content for NASW social media and other digital platforms.
• Assist the managing editor with proofreading, caption and headline writing, and copy editing. Assist in reviewing and correcting print page proofs, as needed.
• Explain editorial policies and editorial decisions to NASW members, staff and others.
• Help triage emails in unit’s email box. Respond and take appropriate action, as needed.
• Occasional travel may be required.

III. WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

• Internal: Interact with NASW staff, supervisors and volunteers to identify, research and write content for Social Work Advocates’ products. Consult with NASW leadership on editorial and policy issues as needed.
• External: Communicate with NASW members, freelancers and others in the general public to investigate, gather and produce content for Social Work Advocates’ products.

IV. MINIMUM WORK REQUIREMENTS:

• Skills: Requires strong writing, editing, communication, interpersonal and organizational skills. Must be able to meet deadlines. Ability to take photos required. Ability to create video content for products a plus.
• Knowledge: Requires a bachelor’s degree in journalism, English or equivalent related work experience. In-depth knowledge of grammar, punctuation and spelling. Experience writing for social media platforms. Work experience in a magazine environment and familiarity with Associated Press style, the social work profession and social work issues a plus. Requires experience using Microsoft Word and familiarity with meeting platforms. Experience with Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Teams and Zoom a plus.
• Experience: Requires at least five years of prior related work experience in addition to the educational requirement.