Lgbt National News Journalist

The Star Observer is Australia’s oldest and largest LGBT media outlet. Star Observer has been setting Australia’s LGBTQI agenda since 1979, with a long and proud history of independent journalism. From the early days of Mardi Gras, through the AIDS crisis, to the battle for marriage equality, Star Observer has been there providing in-depth and independent journalism about the issues facing the LGBTQI community.

Over 2.5 million people read our publication annually. We are a digital first publication. We post no fewer than four stories, seven days per week online and across social media channels; we send out two email newsletters per week; we publish a monthly glossy magazine with distribution in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

Our main office is in Ultimo NSW. We have a satellite office in St Kilda VIC. The ideal candidate can work out of either site.

We recently received a significant grant from Meta via the Wakley Foundation to expand our queer coverage nationally into Adelaide, Perth, Darwin and beyond.

Candidates can apply to work full time or part time Star Observer (depending on suitability and availability)

What you will do:

·

Generate daily LGBT news coverage personally producing no less than 15 posts per week

· Assign,edit and post additional freelance copy ensuring that no less than 28 posts appear on the site weekly.

· Recruit, attract and retain a pool of freelance contributors, interns, and citizen journalists to generate copy.

· Edit and sub copy and headlines; ensure all legal issues are resolved prior to publishing, source copywrite approved images and post copy to WordPress ensuring correct tags etc.

· Post stories across social media platforms

· Generate weekly e-newsletters.

· Oversee the content in the monthly print editions selecting best online content, subbing to size, and working with our designer to sign off pages.

· Monitor LGBT news stories locally, nationally and internationally ensuring comprehensive up to date coverage

· Develop and maintain contacts with key LGBT organisations, community leaders and influencers, politicians, and government bodies

· Develop, implement and maintain a project management system such as Monday or Trello.

You’ll bring….

· A good grasp of LGBTQIA+ issues, sensitivities, and concerns. An understanding of diversity and inclusion issues

· Significant experience working for a news website in journalistic capacity.

· Experience in writing, commissioning, and editing news content.

· Ability to generate and post copy quickly and reliably.

· A strong understanding of digital journalism, knowledge of WordPress and good news judgement

· A strong knowledge and understanding of SEO

· Excellent writing, editing, communication and interpersonal skills, along with the ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues.

· The ability to work with speed whilst also maintaining a high level of attention to detail.

· A passion for independent journalism, an interest in local and state politics and a commitment to social justice issues.

· Understanding of issues pertaining to libel.

· Willingness and ability to assist with sponsored content, arts coverage and non-news-based content.

· Ability to be part of a small, dynamic publishing team and work collaboratively.

This role is being offered on a full-time basis; part-time candidates will be considered. Applicants can work out of our home office in Ultimo or our satellite office at the Victorian Pride Centre in St Kilda. To apply for this position please send a covering letter CV and writing samples of previous news stories to: ********@starobserver.com.au