Staff Writer

Defector Media is a 100-percent worker-owned and -operated media company. We are looking to hire additional Staff Writers in early 2021.

Defector Staff Writers are responsible for writing about things they are interested in and publishing their work on the site. They possess a firm knowledge of the site’s editorial vision and voice, and are able to ensure that their work fits into that vision.

They do not have strict coverage beats, but they allow their interest in and passion for specific beats within sports, politics, media, culture, or anything else that our readers might be interested in, to guide their focus. They write what they know, and what they care about.

They do not have a work quota, but they understand that they need to be contributing to the site regularly. They have publishing schedules that conform to their abilities and areas of expertise--not all bloggers are feature writers and not all feature writers are bloggers--but they should feel comfortable contributing to the site in a variety of ways, whether that be through stories, short blogs, or anything in between.

The Staff Writer will be primarily evaluated on their ability to use their expertise and imagination to create original content that can be used by the company. They are comfortable working in a collaborative environment, and are able to discuss and hone their ideas with other writers and editors.

This job is remote, but we are only set up to hire residents of the United States and Canada. Base salary starts at a minimum of $50,000/year, plus additional quarterly profit share.

Benefits include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Unlimited paid time off, with a recommended 20 days per year
• Six months’ paid parental or family leave
• Stipends for phone, home internet, and tech hardware
• Profit sharing for all employees

Experience and Skill Requirements:

• At least 2 years experience writing for a digital or print publication.
• Extensive knowledge of their coverage areas.
• Superb writing skills, with a significant portfolio of relevant creative and opinion-based pieces.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficient with Word, Google Docs, and content management systems.
• Able to exercise frequent independent judgement.
• Enthusiastic about helping shape the non-editorial operations and strategic direction of the business.

Working Condition Expectations:

• Work from home location of employee’s choice.
• Occasional travel to an office environment for company meetings, to locations to cover stories, or to represent company at industry events.

TO APPLY, PLEASE PREPARE:

• Resume
• Cover letter, which should clearly spell out your specific coverage interests, be they in sports, culture, politics, or anything else.
• At least three clips
• An example of a story from the past 4-5 months that Defector did not cover but should have, and a brief explanation of how you would have covered it for us (do NOT write the full post).