Local Editors with Military Journalism experience wanted

Patch is hiring Local Editors for opportunities in Fayetteville, NC; Hinesville, GA; and Oceanside, CA.

We’re Patch.com, a start-up that’s radically reinventing community journalism. We launched in February 2009 and we currently operate hundreds of local news sites in towns with populations under 70,000 and now we're expanding again! Patch is founded on two core principles: that news matters in towns across the country and that we can create a successful business model to sustain it. Patch is investing significantly to create news sites to produce meaningful daily and enterprise journalism and pioneer new forms of storytelling to serve our communities using our dynamic platform.

Patch.com is looking for smart, innovative journalists to join our team as full-time local editors. We see this as nothing less than the future of online journalism. Visit patch.com to learn more about our mission and to visit our news sites.

Job responsibilities (to include, but not limited to):
* Run a local news site – reporting, writing, taking pictures and video; finding, assigning and editing freelancers and local columnists, and connecting with the community to attract user-generated content *Interact with military community leaders, service members and public affairs personnel* Provide an invaluable source of trusted news and information that will improve people’s lives is relevant to the military community that reside both on and off the installation*Drive your site to become a landmark in the community * Work collaboratively with colleagues in a region and across other military publications to produce impactful breaking news, features, enterprise stories, and create new ways to connect with and engage communities *Collaborate with the business team to build and maintain a town directory of key officials and businesses

Required skills:
• Recent military and/or community journalism experience.
• Ability to manage, direct, and motivate a team of freelancers.
• Ability to manage a budget
• Strong reporting instincts and willingness to ask tough questions of important people.
• Experience in online journalism
• Experience editing video, producing a Web site and/or excellent photography skills.
• Firm grasp of AP style and covering military communities.
• Solid news judgment.
• Adept with a variety of social media tools
• Extreme organizational and time management skills.
• Winning, can-do attitude
• Passionate about the web, social networking, and of course military community journalism.
• Thrive in a fast-paced environment
• Entrepreneurial spirit and drive

Desired skills:
• Be able to quickly grasp the interests, rhythms and identity of a military community.
• Start-up experience a plus

Education/Industry background:
•At least two years of professional reporting experience in addition to college media and internship experience
• Degree in journalism, new media, or similar discipline
• Graduate degree a plus

Unique requirements:
• Must be a flexible, independent, self-starter – you’ll work from home, the coffee shop, your car, the high school football game
• We will provide the tools for the job: including a laptop, smart phone, camera.
• Must own a car.
• Must be willing to relocate if there isn't a site near you.
• Ability and willingness to work various hours outside of the typical M-F and 9-5, including evenings and weekends.

Competitive salary and benefits package, including 401-K match and performance bonus. Patch Media is an AOL company.