(Temp-to-Perm) Staff Writer, News & Politics, theshaderoom.com, Evenings & Weekends

REMOTE - Must live in California

This is a temporary position with the possibility of transitioning into a permanent role with the company.

Founded in 2014, The Shade Room (TSR) has grown into a leading media powerhouse for breaking news and a trailblazer for reporting all things pop culture. TSR combines investigative entertainment journalism from our writers with crowdsourced journalism from our Roommates to operate a 24/7 news outlet. Our strong community of followers allows us to break away from traditional news delivery by reaching readers directly through their social networks.

As we continue to grow, we are always looking for the best and brightest talent with big ideas. From Social Media content to Video Production, we thrive on creativity! If this sounds like you, we hope you’ll join us.

*PLEASE INCLUDE A LINK TO YOUR PREVIOUS WORK ON YOUR RESUME*

WORK SCHEDULE
Wednesday: 1:30 pm to 10:00 pm PT
Thursday: 1:30 pm to 10:00 pm PT
Friday: 1:30 pm to 10:00 pm PT
Saturday: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm PT
Sunday: 1:30 pm to 10:00 pm PT

NOTE: This is not an on-camera job. 

SUMMARY:
Reporting to the Managing Editor, the News & Politics Staff Writer, theshaderoom.com is responsible for leading coverage of breaking national and political news in addition to creating multiple quick-turnaround articles a day, as well as working on longer-lead projects that help the team meet daily content frequency goals. This position will produce content with a heavy focus on reporting news and politics in a fair, balanced, and accurate way without bias in addition to covering Black culture, entertainment, and current trends as assigned. This role requires strong news judgment from someone who loves and gets Black people and culture across the diaspora and can work fast without sacrificing quality, accuracy, or personality.

Experience pulling and interpreting court records and legislative documents as well as developing strong relationships with government agencies, lawmakers, experts, and contacts who provide tips and leads on stories required.

A proven ability to produce content with strong news judgment that is shaped by research under minimal supervision in a fast-paced, demanding environment is required.

This is not an entry-level position. A bachelor’s degree in journalism or a related field is preferred. Proven experience writing clean copy that is ready for publication is required.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Write, develop, edit, and publish stories for theshaderoom.com.
• React quickly to breaking news and develop stories based on factual information.
• Conduct in-depth research on assigned topics.
• Fact-check and research viral stories to ensure accuracy.
• Stay abreast on current trending topics that connect with The Shade Room audience and create stories based on trends.
• Generate exclusive content for all TSR platforms.
• Attend meetings to delegate tasks.
• Contribute creative and engaging ideas to brainstorm sessions with social, video, and theshaderoom.com teams.
• Ensure all-around consistency (style, fonts, images, and tone) on the website.
• Stay up to date on the latest industry trends, software, digital media compliance, and content rights clearances.
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Great news judgement from someone who loves and gets Black culture across the diaspora.
• Proficiency in SEO best practices
• Proficiency with CMS tool, WordPress preferred.
• The ability to self-edit work.
• The ability to receive feedback and make corrections based on notes given.
• A creative writer with the ability to write in a witty, fun, and trendy tone to appeal to The Shade Room demographic of 18 – 41-year-olds.
• Impeccable attention to detail, solid organizational skills, highly motivated, and results-driven.
• The ability to work in a quick-turnaround environment without sacrificing quality, accuracy, or personality.
• Experience with popular social media platforms and trends.
• Relationship management; networking skills with the ability to cultivate strong professional relationships with internal and external partners.
• Flexibility in managing multiple responsibilities and assignments simultaneously; ability to meet deadlines; experience managing both urgent short-term projects and complex, longer-term projects.
• Must be able to work evenings and weekends.
• Ability to work holidays as scheduled.
• Legal right to work in the US.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:
BA in English, Communications, Journalism, Political Science, or a related field is preferred but not required. Minimum of 2+ years of professional journalism, communications or social media experience creating content, preferably for a high-output and trusted media brand. Experience using WordPress, Photoshop and/or other photo editing tools.

COMPENSATION

Temporary workers (temps) are paid through a staffing agency. The range of pay as a temp is $30.04 – $33.66/hr (equates to $62,483.20 – $70,012.80 a year working 40 hour weeks). The temp assignment can last up to 3 months before a decision is made to transition to a permanent position or end the assignment.

If offered a permanent position with The Shade Room, the position will be full-time and non-exempt. The pay band is $28.85/hr – $35.10/hr ($60,008.00 – $73,008.00/a year working 40 hours a week). Compensation and final title offered (Staff Writer or Sr. Staff Writer) will be based off of experience, local cost of living and budget.

BENEFITS

The Shade Room is a fully remote work environment with a wonderful team of hardworking, innovative and creative people. Our benefits include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401K, 401K match, sick time and paid time off!

NOTE: This is a temporary position with the possibility of transitioning into a permanent role with the company. Company benefits are not available to temps. Benefits will be available if temp transitions into a permanent employee with The Shade Room.

The Shade Room provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristics protected by the federal, state or local laws. The Shade Room is an at-will employer.