McClatchy Media is hiring a versatile, forward-thinking associate editor to support a team focused on local service journalism and AI-assisted content production in Tarrant County, Texas This hybrid leadership role is ideal for a journalist who thrives on shaping coverage and also staying close to the reporting work. Candidates should be passionate about helping readers and pioneering the smart use of AI in a modern newsroom.
As the right hand to the Tarrant County editor, you will help manage the daily editorial flow while also playing a key role in creating high-volume, high-impact local journalism. You will help edit and coach fellow reporters, ensure quality control across templated and original stories, and regularly write your own explainers, guides, and real-time responses that answer readers' everyday questions.
The successful candidate will bring a passion for community-centered journalism, strong editorial judgment and curiosity about how AI tools can make local news more accessible, efficient and relevant.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the Tarrant County editor in coordinating daily assignments, editing drafts and managing content workflow.
- Shepherd AI-assisted content, ensuring automated or templated stories are accurate, relevant and meet our editorial standards.
- Collaborate with the AI-assisted reporter and developers to refine story templates, experiment with automation tools and improve output over time.
- Write original stories that include community explainers, service journalism and reader-driven guides with high utility and engagement potential.
- Maintain and help expand the editorial calendar of recurring content, including AI-generated reports and evergreen updates.
- Use audience data, SEO principles and social listening to help shape story planning and prioritization.
- Act as a resource and coach for other reporters, providing feedback that strengthens their work and improves newsroom workflows.
- Step in as acting editor when needed, especially on coverage coordination or AI experimentation projects.
Qualifications
- Strong reporting, writing and editing skills with a sharp eye for detail and a commitment to ethical journalism.
- Familiarity with AI-powered tools used in newsrooms (e.g., natural language generation, prompt refinement, automation platforms).
- Experience overseeing structured content or templated story production preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to balance editing responsibilities with writing assignments.
- A digital-first mindset with strong understanding of SEO, engagement strategies and content performance metrics.
- Excellent collaboration and communication skills, especially in a fast-paced, evolving newsroom.
- Fluency in English and Spanish preferred.
Job Requirements
- This is a day shift position that may include evening and weekend work as needed.
- This position is based in Fort Worth and involves a hybrid schedule: working from home and from our Fort Worth co-working space, with a strong expectation of gathering news in the communities we serve.
- Proficiency with AP style, grammar, and punctuation.
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience.
To apply, include a persuasive
cover letter,
your resume, samples of your best work and
references.
About The McClatchy Media Company
The McClatchy Media Company features a portfolio of vibrant and trusted news, lifestyle, entertainment brands and a robust retail distribution network. Our iconic local news brands such as the Miami Herald, The Kansas City Star and The Sacramento Bee, have collectively earned a total of 57 Pulitzer prizes and are complemented by popular lifestyle and entertainment brands such as Us Weekly and Woman’s World. Together, our brands reach more than 100 million unique visitors a month,The McClatchy Retail Network, our distribution and logistics arm, offers delivery to more than 56,000 retail locations weekly.
