Call for applicants: J-Source editor-in-chief
Join a team dedicated to news, research, tips and resources about the world of journalism in Canada. We are seeking an editor-in-chief for J-Source.ca, starting Nov. 1, 2022.
Ideally the editor-in-chief will be a university or college full-time or contract journalism faculty member, who may have the opportunity to use this position as part of their institution’s community service requirement.
The editor-in-chief participates in all editorial matters concerning the online news publication and its newest venture, the Canada Press Freedom Project, coming soon.
Principally, the editor-in-chief supervises and supports the managing editor, who is currently J-Source’s only full-time paid staff member. This includes setting the editorial direction for J-Source in conjunction with the managing editor, leading weekly story meetings, reviewing story pitches, editing and proof-reading copy as needed, as well as participating in the production of the weekly newsletter and being available as needed for consultation. The role also includes supervising student hires, participating in J-Source editorial board meetings and the occasional online discussion panels, as well as helping the site maintain a strong social media presence.
The editor-in-chief also leads long-term editorial planning for the publication, recruits and communicates with volunteer faculty contributors from Canadian journalism schools and the industry, may negotiate content-sharing agreements and other types of partnerships with other organizations, and liaises with the publisher on a regular basis. The editor-in-chief also plays a role in hiring and training all new term, part-time and permanent staff.
Beginning with the current academic year (2022-23) the editor-in-chief will annually receive a $5,000 honorarium .
This position requires approximately 10 to 12 hours of work a week, 12 months of the year. Knowledge of the journalism industry in Canada is important, as is an understanding of digital newsgathering and social media. Experience using the WordPress content management system is an asset.
J-Source.ca is the hub for news, research, and commentary about journalism in Canada. Its goal is to promote national discussion about journalism as well as providing a source for news, research, commentary, advice, and resources for industry professionals, scholars and students.
In addition to J-Source and the Canada Press Freedom project, the J-Source site features Facts and Frictions (an academic journal published twice a year by J-Schools Canada) and Projet J (the French language sister publication to J-Source). Both of these are run independently from J-Source with their own editorial resources.
Questions about the J-Source editor-in-chief role may be directed to our most recent editor-in-chief Sonya Fatah from Toronto Metropolitan University or Christopher Waddell from Carleton University.
Interested applicants should send a cover letter and CV to J-Source publisher Christopher Waddell at publisher@j-source.ca by Oct. 15, 2022.