Social Media Video Editor (Contract)

The San Francisco Standard; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 51,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

The San Francisco Standard is seeking a creative, deeply online social video editor who can turn journalism into scroll-stopping videos for Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. You’ll primarily edit footage from reporters and contributors, shaping moments into compelling, platform-native stories.

You’ll also shoot original footage in the field, or alongside reporters, to cover breaking news, culture, and local moments.

Qualifications

• Portfolio demonstrating original footage and polished, platform-native videos.
• Proficiency in Adobe Premiere Pro; knowledge of After Effects or CapCut is a plus.
• Strong visual storytelling and ability to craft compelling narratives from imperfect material.

Responsibilities

• Shoot and edit short-form videos for Instagram Reels, TikTok, YouTube Shorts, etc.
• Edit footage from reporters and contributors into cohesive stories.
• Shoot original video in the field with smartphones, with or without reporters.
• Cover breaking news and cultural moments around San Francisco, on short notice.
• Create fast-turnaround videos with strong hooks, pacing, and shareability.
• Collaborate with reporters to identify strong moments and story structures.
• Guide contributors on framing, audio, and visual storytelling for social.
• Pitch original video concepts and recurring formats for coverage.
• Incorporate graphics, captions, music, and sound for accessibility.
• Stay current on platform trends and emerging production tools.

Skills

Video editing

Video shooting

Portfolio

Platform-native storytelling

Storytelling

Motion graphics

Color correction

Audio mixing

Captioning

Social platforms knowledge

Independent work

Collaboration

Tools

Adobe Premiere Pro

After Effects

CapCut

Edits

Job description

The San Francisco Standard is a local news startup that's fast becoming a must-read for residents of the Bay Area and beyond.

We're looking for a creative, deeply online social video editor who knows how to make people stop scrolling. You understand what works on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, have a sharp eye for visual storytelling, and know how to turn good journalism into videos people actually want to watch and share.

Your primary focus will be editing footage captured by reporters, creators, and other contributors, finding the strongest moments and shaping them into compelling, platform-native videos. But you'll also be able to shoot original footage, whether that's covering a breaking news event, capturing a cultural moment, or documenting the city's everyday weirdness.

Working closely with our Social Video Director and newsroom, you'll help bring fresh ideas and creative approaches to our coverage, from politics and breaking news to food and culture. We're looking for someone who's curious, resourceful, comfortable working independently, and excited to experiment with what local news can look like on social media.

What you'll do

• Shoot and edit short-form videos for Instagram Reels, TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and other social platforms.
• Edit footage captured by reporters, freelancers, creators, and other newsroom contributors, shaping raw material into engaging, cohesive stories.
• Shoot original video in the field using smartphones, both independently and alongside reporters.
• Cover breaking news, events, community happenings, and cultural moments around San Francisco, sometimes on short notice.
• Create fast-turnaround videos optimized for strong hooks, storytelling, pacing, audience retention, and shareability.
• Work with reporters and producers to identify the strongest moments in their footage, develop story structures, and determine what additional visuals or sound might be needed.
• Help guide newsroom contributors on capturing footage that works for social video, including framing, audio, interviews, and visual storytelling.
• Pitch original video concepts, recurring formats, and creative approaches to covering San Francisco.
• Collaborate with reporters and editors to identify stories with strong visual and social potential.
• Incorporate graphics, captions, music, natural sound, and other creative elements to make videos engaging and accessible.
• Stay current on platform trends, creator formats, audience behaviors, and emerging production tools.
• Manage multiple projects and deadlines while maintaining editorial standards, accuracy, and attention to detail.

Who you are

• An experienced video shooter and editor with a portfolio demonstrating both original footage and polished, platform-native social videos.
• Proficient in Adobe Premiere Pro; experience with After Effects, Edits, CapCut, or similar tools is a plus.
• A strong visual storyteller who can find a compelling narrative in footage you didn't shoot, even when the material is imperfect or incomplete.
• Skilled in editing interviews, news footage, reporter standups, and other material into concise, engaging videos.
• Knowledgeable about motion graphics, color correction, audio mixing, captioning, and other post-production techniques.
• Well-versed in social platforms, their native features, and what makes content successful on each.
• A quick, resourceful editor who can turn around timely content without sacrificing quality or accuracy.
• Comfortable working with reporters and contributors who have different levels of video experience.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of juggling multiple projects and shifting editorial priorities.
• A creative problem-solver who can work independently in the field and collaboratively in a busy newsroom.
• Curious about San Francisco, its communities, and the stories worth telling.
• Comfortable experimenting, iterating, and having fun — you understand that social is a creative playground, not just a distribution channel.

Where/when you'll work

This is an in-person position with regular office hours at our San Francisco newsroom. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required to cover news events, with schedules adjusted accordingly to accommodate those hours. This position reports to the Social Video Director.

This is a contract role for an initial three-month period. The position pays $45 per hour.