Health Editor

If you want to lead reporting that makes a difference, here’s your chance.Arkansas ranks at or near the bottom nationwide on virtually every metric for health, equity and access. The state’s infant mortality rate is nearly 60% higher than the U.S. average. Rural health is in crisis. Hospital closures, mental health gaps and adverse policy decisions are among the litany of challenges.The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette is seeking an editor to lead a three-person health team to deliver data-driven journalism and people-centered storytelling through a public health, accountability and community-impact lens. This work will enhance understanding and increase accountability for those who make the critical decisions affecting the lives of families. Our health editor will be a smart, serious and tireless champion of health journalism in Arkansas, leading the production of breaking news, enterprise, explanatory and investigative stories focused on maternal and infant mortality, pregnancy and postpartum care, pediatric health, rural healthcare access, Medicaid and insurance, vaccination and public health, reproductive health policy, mental health, childcare systems and health disparities.Do you know how to lead? Are you motivated, curious, compassionate, audience-focused and comfortable balancing data-driven accountability reporting with deeply personal storytelling? If so, we want to hear from you.Send a cover letter with three samples of your best work to Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Executive Editor Lee Wolverton at [email protected]. The subject line should read: Health Editor. Work samples should include links and pdfs or Word files showing full text. An important caveat: If you’ve always wanted to be a journalist but have never worked in the business, please, waste neither your time nor ours. We are seeking serious applicants with full-time professional journalism experience working for a credible news organization. ResponsibilitiesSet the agenda for breaking news, enterprise and investigative storiesBecome expert in the issues affecting health in Arkansas and across the country Meet regularly with your team to determine reporting objectivesDrive reporting on healthcare systems, policy decisions and public health trends affecting ArkansansDirect pursuit and analysis of public records, health data and research to identify trends, disparities and accountability storiesEngage as a player-coach, developing connections with people across the spectrum of coverageEnsure your staff builds relationships and trust among healthcare professionals, researchers, advocates and affected familiesDeliver coverage on issues impacting rural communities and underserved populationsAssign human-centered stories powered by storytelling and supported by data and details from public recordsWork with your staff to produce compelling prose that unfolds the issues in clear, precise language while keeping readers interested and engagedGuide your staff in translating complex health and scientific information into accessible, audience-friendly journalismCollaborate with our visuals, audience and engagement teams on storytelling and distribution strategiesCoordinate coverage so that stories are consistently accompanied by powerful images, video and graphics that illustrate the dataJoin community listening sessions and engagement effortsContribute to newsletters, social media, video or other multimedia storytelling as neededSet the highest possible standards for journalism, accountability reporting, writing, storytelling and multimedia presentations.Preferred QualificationsExperience leading reporting on health, public policy, education or social issuesA proven track record as a leader and managerDemonstrated ability to analyze and contextualize data and researchUnderstanding of healthcare systems and public health issuesExpertise in trauma-informed interviewing and how to approach sensitive topicsKnowledge of disparities affecting rural, low-income and historically underserved communitiesRecord of leading reporters in the production of quick-turn, enterprise and investigative storiesCollaborative mindset and strong audience awarenessAbout Arkansas Health BeatThis position is among the first being filled as part of Arkansas Health Beat, a new statewide health reporting lab. Arkansas Health Beat will produce impactful, community-centered journalism focused on healthcare access, public health, accountability and the systems shaping the wellbeing of Arkansans across the state.The Health Editor will lead two people hired under the initiative and will play a foundational role in shaping the direction, priorities and impact of the effort. The other positions for which we are hiring include a reporter covering maternal health and child care and another covering rural health.