Public Safety and Courts Editor

The Charlotte Observer is seeking a Public Safety and Courts Editor.

Charlotte is the largest city in North Carolina and with that comes incredible opportunities to report stories of critical importance about the institutions, policies, people and circumstances impacted by the criminal justice system.

This Public Safety and Courts Editor guides a team of reporters who center those harmed by inequities and seeks to unearth the root of issues and potential solutions.

Managing daily breaking news on these topics leads to deeper accountability reporting. While holding fast to urgency on audience-focused, quicker-turn reporting, the editor also helps reporters step back to look for trends and opportunities for in-depth, award-winning reporting.

The Charlotte Observer was awarded the top Public Service Award by the North Carolina Press Association for outstanding public safety and courts reporting. The Observer was also recently named the best newspaper website in the state by the NCPA. Additionally, a key member of the team was awarded a fellowship by the Just Trust Foundation, focused entirely on issues of justice and fairness.

Distinctive reporting on the crushing intersection of mental health and the criminal justice system led to a multipart project upheld as one of the premier pieces of journalism produced in the state in 2023. We’ve also revisited a notorious serial killing spree 30 years later, the state and the county’s difficult transition to a fully-electronic court records system and the dangers of fentanyl as it makes its way onto high school campuses.

Additionally, the editor leads major coverage like a five-alarm fire that resulted in two deaths and the investigation that followed examining the missteps that lead to the tragedy, and the tragic deaths of a news helicopter pilot and meteorologist when the helicopter crashed.

This editor has an expert understanding of public records and documents and can provide guidance to reporters navigating these pathways to stories. The editor is a coach who can elevate stories, develop reporters and help to grow our audience of subscribers by publishing unforgettable journalism.

Importantly, this editor is a member of the news leadership team charged with making the Observer the best digital–first news organization in the state. The editor shows impeccable leadership, communication and collaborative skills, decision-making and a shared mission for The Charlotte Observer. The editor is a reliable teammate with a tremendous work ethic and passion for our community and journalism.

What you'll bring:

Command of grammar, spelling, Observer and AP style, as well as the ability to write and edit clearly.

Strong news judgment.

Ability to learn both the art and science of readership and engagement.

Enthusiasm for learning new skills and technologies.

Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively.

Comfort with a job that will be demanding, fast-paced and constantly evolving.

Advanced skills at developing source networks.

Advanced skills at editing well-organized news and enterprise stories.

Knowledge in use of social networks such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Ability to learn how to obtain, sort and analyze public documents, such as property records and court records.

Commitment to accurate, ethical journalism.

Minimum Requirements:

Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, preferably in journalism or related field.

Experience: 4 years of reporting experience in a news organization.