Associate Editor | Salary Range: $70K-$80K
Open Campus is hiring an editor to join a projects team that partners with local newsrooms to produce in-depth stories and investigative coverage about community colleges – higher ed’s most local, least scrutinized institutions.
The associate editor will join our Community College Project and work with our managing editor for investigations and investigative editor to seed and support accountability coverage of these institutions.
The Community College Project pairs Open Campus higher ed and investigative expertise with the local knowledge of partner newsrooms. Together, we produce journalism that helps people understand and influence institutions that shape their lives.
The new editor will work with local reporters in partner newsrooms to develop this coverage. They’ll coach reporters, guide projects, sharpen story ideas, do big-picture edits, analyze data and provide national sources and context. They’ll also help develop resources, tools and products to improve coverage of community colleges, deepen public dialogue and better serve local audiences.
The salary range for this position is $70k-$80k, dependent on experience.
We’re based in Washington, D.C., but you may work from anywhere in the United States.
Here’s what we’re looking for:
- An editor with an accountability mindset and a track record of editing stories that make a difference
- An editor with experience untangling complex policies and communicating clearly about why they matter
- A collaborative editor whose strength lies in working with people – guiding, supporting and inspiring them
- A problem solver skilled at creating resources that improve journalistic work
- A journalist excited about our mission of strengthening local news coverage and serving diverse communities
We’re particularly interested in applicants who:
- Have experience with higher education reporting or editing
- Attended a community college
We know there are important skills we haven’t thought of or strong candidates who don’t have this exact background. If that’s you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us more.
Open Campus is committed to building an inclusive culture that reflects the full diversity of the nation. We encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including people of color, LGBTQ people, and people with disabilities.
Benefits of working at Open Campus
- 20 vacation days, plus sick leave and major holidays
- Health insurance
- Disability insurance
- Life insurance
- 401(k) with matching
- Up to 6 months paid family leave
About Open Campus
Open Campus is a nonprofit news organization that ensures communities have the independent information they need about higher ed. By placing expert reporters in local newsrooms across the country, we help people understand and influence the institutions that shape their futures.
Founded in 2019, we now work with over 20 newsroom partners and have delivered more than $3 million to local news organizations. We’re supported by funders spanning journalism and higher education, including Arnold Ventures, the Lumina Foundation, and the American Journalism Project.
How to apply
Interested candidates should apply here by Oct. 25, 2026. We are eyeing a start date of early January 2027.
Have questions about this position? Contact Pauline Arrillaga at pauline.arrillaga@opencampus.org
Please note: We are not accepting résumés or applications via email. All candidates must apply through our official application process.
Want to be added to our talent pool? Send your resume to jobs@opencampusmedia.org.
You can also sign up to be notified about future positions: