by Wm. Steven Humphrey

Do you love local music and seeing it live? Do you have thoughts about it and can write it all down in an entertaining, informative manner? Then you may be the perfect candidate for the Mercury's newest MUSIC EDITOR. Check out the job description below, and see if you (or someone you know) is qualified!

HELP WANTED: Music Editor

The Portland Mercury is currently looking for a full-time MUSIC EDITOR to join our small, dynamic, hard-working editorial staff. Are you a smart, thoughtful writer filled with passion, hustle, and the desire to share their love for—and critiques of—the Portland music scene? This is an excellent position for an engaging writer with a deep knowledge of local and national music, who believes a strong arts scene makes for a stronger city. If you have experience and love for other areas of arts and culture (including food, nightlife, comedy, theater, film, books, visual art, and more), that’s even better. A degree in journalism isn't required, but possessing basic reporting chops is very helpful!

Salary: $70,000 starting

Qualified applicants should possess the following:

• Snappy, smart writing paired with a passion for digging deep into the music scene and other areas of cultural significance. The ability to write about various genres of music with respect and research is a definite necessity for this job. At least two years of experience in culture writing is preferred.

• Must love going out and attending lots of shows—this is a requirement.

• Previous editing experience and being able to weather critical feedback from readers is particularly helpful.

• Must be extremely organized and able to write longer reviews as well as short blurbs, report on breaking music news, and manage freelancers. You should have an ability to devise and execute fresh story ideas with little to no hand-holding, and adhere to deadlines. You will also be asked to write for and help produce our print products, as well as contribute content to our online calendar, EverOut.

• Exceptional grammar and style skills, and the ability to proofread your colleagues' work.

• Familiarity with major social media platforms.

• And of course: enthusiasm, professionalism, people skills, and a good sense of humor!

This is a full-time, exempt and union position with a starting annual salary of $70,000. Our employees split telecommuting with some office time. Applicants should live in the Portland metro area, or have the ability to relocate for the job. Ideally, you'll have a familiarity with the area. Our general work schedule is Monday-Friday, but you will be asked to work some evenings and weekends. And just so you know, the Mercury is a really fun place to work with nice people who treat each other with respect.

Interested applicants should send us a résumé, links or PDFs to at least three published pieces, four brief story ideas, and a cover letter that won't bore us to death. Submit your application here.

Benefits:

Health Insurance: Employer contributes toward medical, dental, and vision premiums
Retirement Plan: SIMPLE IRA with employer matching contributions
Paid Time Off: Seven paid holidays, two any-day paid holidays and vacation starting at two weeks in first year, increasing up to 4 weeks after 5 years
Employee Assistance Program: Access to wellness and financial support services
Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Options to set aside pre-tax funds for medical and dependent care expenses

Why Noisy Creek? Aside from being an equal opportunity employer, we’re also a vibrant, creative team that believes the more diverse voices that are at the table, the better the conversation—and the work! We realize that not everyone receives the same professional or educational opportunities, so if you don’t meet all the above qualifications but still think you’d be a good fit, please consider applying. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and particularly encourage applications from women, LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and other underrepresented communities. If you want to be part of a team where your skills and ideas are valued, we want to hear from you!

Application Deadline: Friday, November 22, 2024

SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION HERE.